Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker (Cocker Brothers #30)

35. Zoe

THIRTY-FIVE

Zoe

T he Four Seasons event space is a spectacle of grandeur with silk curtains and tablecloths, an orchestra playing classical music, and five hundred suits and gowns highlighted by opulent chandeliers.

A podium and stage were installed on the far wall earlier this afternoons. We saw the electricians checking its cables as Amelia, Perry, and I placed floral arrangements on all the appropriate tables.

Tom didn’t show up at Florist Shop today. Amelia and Perry wanted to know why I didn’t call him to ask why he wasn’t there.

I know why.

Lexi told me, when she called me late last night checking to see how dinner went, that she’d told Tom I had made my choice. Of course he would avoid me now. And what could I do about it? Tell Caleb, I’m sorry but you can’t have your freedom from your father after all?

So it was just the three of us setting up and while they didn’t try to make me feel worse about my situation, Amelia and Perry couldn’t hide that their smiles were forced professionalism.

I left them to close up Florist Shop, and I went home to bury my face in Ralphie’s soft fur for some comfort. With no enthusiasm, I showered and dressed for the party. I don’t even remember driving here. Did I park in a red zone again? Who cares.

Come on!

Be strong.

I can do this.

Hold my head high.

Be a perfect future daughter-in-law.

The perfect future wife.

To a man who might fall in love.

But could I, with him?

Could I give my heart?

Do I still even have it?

“Zoe!” Caleb strolls toward me, one hand in the pocket of his black three-piece suit, tie neat and high. He scans with appreciation my sea-foam green strapless gown I’m trying not to trip on. “You look beautiful.” He pulls me close, right arm wrapping around my waist as he begins introducing me to guests, his smile confident and unwavering.

One after the other, I meet business colleagues who feel distant, as if they barely know Caleb at all. It hits me that they probably don’t. He doesn’t like his job. Is this why? Because he doesn’t have friends? I watch as they briefly discuss mergers and acquisitions rather than shared memories, and each introduction blends into the last, nobody’s name or face sticking in my slippery-focused mind. What does stick is the feeling that my fiancé is very proud to have me on his arm. That should make me feel proud.

Shouldn’t it?

I don’t feel anything.

Grateful there isn’t a clock on the wall for me to watch the time snail by and torture myself with, I glance around the room and pause in surprise. My parents, Jeremy and Meagan Cocker, stand beside one another with a mix of hope and concern as they watch us. My brothers, Nicholas, Wyatt, and Nathan, are teamed-up nearby, their brows furrowed as they survey the crowd. As if they feel my gaze, the three of them turn their frowns toward me. I sharply inhale, so glad to see them all, everyone dressed to the nines.

Mom waves me over, “Zoe, come here!” smooth voice cutting through the din of a cacophony of strangers.

I squeeze Caleb’s hand, giving him a reassuring smile before breaking away in order to join my family. “Be right back.”

“Want me to come with you?”

“Just…give me a moment.”

As I make my way through glamorous people I notice a murmur domino through the crowd, followed by almost a hush. All eyes slam to the entrance and I look over to hear a hotel employee announce like a butler in a castle might, “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Astor II!”

Guests explode into applause and Caleb’s parents soak it in, their backs as straight as statues with waves like those of royalty. The moment is broken by a server hurrying into the room, passing them with a tray of wobbling and shimmering champagne flutes. “Excuse me! Coming through!” The Astors react with disgust at the interruption, crowd returning to its previous hum of emotionless conversations.

However, I notice that the guests closest to Mr. Astor wait in silence to be greeted. He is the man of the hour, and they appear as though they want to impress him as quickly as possible. Just as they’re about to get their wish, Mr. Astor looks at me. I swallow hard and hurry along on my journey, happy for a diversion from the night’s obligation as I greet my parents, “Mom, Dad! What are you all doing here?”

Dad’s tone is grave as he surprises me with the news, “Your fiancé called and invited us.”

“Oh!” I blink to Mom, and back to Dad. “How did he get your number?”

Wyatt raises his hand to waist level as if he doesn’t have the enthusiasm to raise it higher. “When Caleb came to the precinct, he asked me for their number.”

“But now that we’re here,” Dad exhales, “we’re concerned about this whole situation, Zoe.”

“Really, it’s fine,” I insist, steading my voice. All I want to do is ask Mom and Dad to help me, but I’m the one who got into this…mess. “Caleb is a wonderful person. And last night he told me has feelings for me, you guys, so the engagement is maybe not just for…convenience.”

“You don’t have feelings for him,” Wyatt announces with conviction. “She’s in love with Tom, like I told you.”

“Wyatt!” I gasp. “What’re you talking about?”

“You can lie to yourself, but not to me. I saw it on your face.”

Mom and Dad are watching me, waiting for me to confess.

Nicholas interjects, “ Caleb might be a great guy,” both hands shoved into his pockets as Cocker men do when they’re thinking or unhappy. “We all know about his past. Wyatt told us you don’t care what the internet says about him.”

Nathan, the youngest and clearly least comfortable in these surroundings, adds, “There are a couple guys at the firehouse in A.A. and they’re the most trustworthy in the company.” Nate explained to me years ago that Company is what firefighters call their team.

“We have way more than two in the police force,” Wyatt informs us. “And I agree with Nate. The guys in A.A. have a policy of rigorous honesty . It’s part of that program. So we all had to concede that you were right to stand up for Caleb.”

I rub my face, feeling awful. “You guys, it’s an anonymous program. Now you all know he’s in it, and that’s personal! Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything!”

Mom touches my shoulder. “Zoe, honey, this is family.” She clasps her hands in front of her sequined dress. “Family can know.”

“If he tells you!”

“Sweetheart, you’re engaged to a man you just met. We looked him up online and saw worrisome things. If you hadn’t told us what he’s doing to rectify that, do you really believe we could have ever supported you in this decision?” I say nothing, so she nods, “It’s good that we know. And if you want, we can apologize to him for that.”

Dad announces, “It will not go past this circle.”

Wyatt confesses, “I told Diana.”

Nicholas coughs, “Maddie knows.”

Dad adjusts his statement. “Your wives are family, and are part of the circle.”

Mom answers the question she sees in my eyes. “They’re home being mothers tonight. In fact, none of us plan to stay long, unless you want us to.”

“Of course I want you here! I was so relieved to see you. And you got Nathan wearing a suit! And Dad, too!”

Dad slides his arm around Mom’s waist. “Any reason for your mom to get me in a suit, she jumps at.”

Chuckling, she chides him, “You were the one who said you had to come in case you needed to kick some fiancé ass .”

“I’m still not against it.”

I roll my eyes. “Caleb already got punched once. Let’s stop attacking the innocent.”

Nathan snorts, “Innocent. I dove deep on the internet and?—”

Wyatt smacks him. Nate slims his lips.

Nicolas interjects, “I was trying to say before we got off track. Caleb might be fine, but his parents are?—”

“—Shitty.” Wyatt interrupts.

“Worse than shitty,” Nathan grunts, gaze following the Astors through the crowd.

Nicholas jogs his chin at me. “Did you see how they looked at you?”

“They?” I ask, sliding a glance across my family’s watchful faces. “I did see that Mr. Astor wasn’t… happy to see me.”

Dad’s stance tenses and he growls, “His wife sneered.”

“She sneered? Oh no!” I blink to my dress. “Should I have worn straps?”

Mom instantly hugs me. “You look incredible, Zoe. I’ve never seen you more lovely.” She pulls back with anger in her eyes. “It’s not you. It’s them.”

Nicholas touches my arm, “You’re the prettiest woman in this place. Besides Mom.”

She laughs, “Nice save.”

“You’ll always be the most beautiful, Mom.”

She pats Nathan’s cheek. “Until you find a wife, honey. That’s when I’ll take second place.”

Our conversation comes to an abrupt stop as Caleb strolls up and introduces himself, and I stand by, watching as my family welcomes him with respect to our connection. Behind their eyes I perceive wariness, but if Caleb notices, he doesn’t give it away. Instead, with confident possessiveness he takes my hand, clasping it. “So nice to meet everyone. If you’ll excuse us, the pre-dinner speeches are about to start so we have to join my father’s table.”

We head away and I hurry to ask, “Are they part of the seating arrangements?”

He pauses and turns back to inform them, “Your table is next to the lead table. I made sure of it. After all, we’re going to be family.”

An odd thud reverberates.

Chaos erupts.

Gasps.

“Get a doctor!”

We spin toward the voice and discover Mrs. Astor’s composure shattered as she rushes to her husband.

Guests encircle him.

Caleb drops my hand.

Rushes away.

I lift up my hem.

Race forward.

I catch sight of something.

Something awful.

Something I forgot.

Something that shouldn’t be here.

Something that’s here because of me.

Peonies.