Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker (Cocker Brothers #30)

37. Zoe

THIRTY-SEVEN

Zoe

T ogether, my family and I, along with the help of rolling carts that boast shiny gold arches and red carpeting, secured all of the floral arrangements in our vehicles so that water won’t spill…much. If we’d all parked together when we’d arrived, it would’ve been easier, but nobody planned what would come to pass. And I had no idea they were coming. But thank God they were here.

We’re all convened at Mom and Dad’s Volkswagen Tiguan as Dad searches for the right nursing home to donate to. Distracted by scrolling, he tells us, “There are a lot of them.”

I glance toward the hotel, wondering what’s going on inside. Is Mr. Astor angry with me? I’m sure Caleb is. And I’ve definitely given his mother good reason to sneer at me now! “Um, Dad… please look for a nursing home that would truly benefit from these the most.”

We lock eyes, and understanding shines in his. “I just scrolled past a place that looked pretty run down. Hang on.” His head drops to the screen, silver-streaked hair catching in the moonlight. “I’ll find it again.”

Wyatt mutters, “Where is Tom?” scanning both directions of 14th Street NE.

Under his breath Nate reminds Wyatt, “We moved fast.”

“Got it!” Dad announces, and shows me a building that could really use some brightening up. “Is this along the lines of what you’re thinking?”

I inspect more closely the listing of a facility with a low review score, huge potholes in the driveway, and a bland paint job that might have been white long, long ago. “That’s perfect.”

Mom leans in to look. “Jeremy, I wouldn’t even call them first. This place might be run by the kind of people who’ll turn down a good thing just because they’re used to saying no.”

Nicholas adds, “To everything .”

“Have to get back inside.” I hug my family. “Thank you for helping me. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this if you weren’t here.”

“Some of the guests would’ve offered to help,” Nathan smiles.

“Which would have been kind, but I’m glad it was you guys, instead. I needed the love. I’m so…” Stopping myself from saying miserable I stammer instead, “…embarrassed.”

Wyatt offers a glimmer of hope I hadn’t thought of yet, “At least now your fiancé will free you from this dumb commitment.”

“You think so?”

Mom touches my elbow. “Honey, do you want him to cancel it?”

“Goodbye! Let me know how they receive the flowers! And remember to ask about allergies!” Running in my heels back up the steps, I mutter to myself a sarcastic, “Hope they make someone’s day better,” and slow once inside.

Smoothing my hair, wiping what I’m sure is smeared mascara from under my eyes, I breathe deeply in and out a few times before I step into the elevator and push the appropriate button. “I can do this. I will apologize and face the music head on.” Glancing to a couple accompanied by their shiny rolling suitcases, I smile, “Where did that saying come from? Face the music? ”

The man shrugs, and the other man scrolls on his phone, staring at it as he discovers the answer and reads, “Says here that it has no known origin, but it might be from early theater days when an actor had to face the orchestra while confronting a hostile audience. Maybe during Shakespeare’s time?”

The shrugging half of the couple lights up. “Probably not during his plays though. Oh, I think I remember something about the military, too. When they were kicked out a drum played through their exit? Can’t remember.”

“Huh.” I add a thoughtful, “My dad was a Marine. I’ll have to ask him.”

“Thank him for his service.”

“Yes, thank him for us.”

The doors whoosh open and I step off. “I will. Have a good evening.”

The scrolling man smiles while his partner nods, “You too,” as the doors whoosh closed.

I mutter to myself, “Not likely,” and head to the event.

Inside, I find it much colder than when I left, but dinner has been laid out, and the five hundred guests are engaged in easy conversation, composed at their tables. But as I walk by, those conversations hush. Some transform to whispers. I’ve heard of the walk of shame before, but I know this isn’t what they meant. However, I can’t imagine a worse feeling than this one. The lead table is focused on me, and my heels feel like someone poured cement into them. Caleb and his parents watch my approach, not even trying to hide their… patience? Is that what I see? Odd. Have they forgiven me? His father looks calm, no anger in his eyes. In his mother’s expression, the disdain is gone. But nothing has replaced it. It’s like I could be anyone. A stranger of whom she has no opinion.

Caleb politely stands and motions to the empty chair beside him. With all eyes on me I walk around the long rectangular table and take my seat to his left. He takes his, parents on his right. “Your family leave?”

“They took the flowers away.”

“I see.”

I lean forward so that I can speak to Mr. Astor better. “I’m so sorry I hurt you! I never meant to do that. There’s no excuse. I’m so sorry!”

“She’s forgetful,” Caleb explains for me. “She was late in bringing the arrangement for the foyer of this very hotel. That’s how we met.”

My heart sinks at the reminder. “I’m sorry.”

“I know it wasn’t intentional,” Mr. Astor replies before he clears his throat and adds, “It’s bothersome that I have this affliction in the first place. Uncommon. Been the bane of my existence for a lifetime.”

Caleb is looking at his father as if this personal information given so freely is a revelation. He blinks to me, and takes my hand. What should warm me sends chills to my heart. A dish of glazed salmon is placed in front of me, and I catch the watchful stares of the crowd, swallowing hard my sorrow. My loss of hope.

They’ve forgiven me.

My wedding is still imminent.

Even nearly killing the man didn’t change anything.

The Astors start to eat and I lift my fork, mirroring them, but I cannot taste the food.

“How is it?” Caleb asks.

“Good,” I answer, though I have no way to tell if it’s a lie. “How is yours?”

“Fine.”

I force a smile that I do not feel, and return to eating my meal. The other guests are now talking amongst themselves, but all I see are mouths moving. My dulled gaze narrows and shifts toward the live orchestra. I see bows sliding across violins and cellos, mouths blowing into flutes and trumpets, but hear none of them.

A wave of stranger’s faces spins toward the entrance, drawing my attention to look in that direction with them.

“What’s he doing here?” Caleb asks from my side.

Tom Bennet walks into the enormous, glamorous space, wearing a black T-shirt, ripped blue jeans, and black boots. Suddenly, as if through a fog, the orchestra’s musical notes reach my ears. My heart. My soul.

Tears rush to my eyes.

Caleb notices. “Zoe?”

Mrs. Astor exclaims, “What in the world is that person doing?”

Mr. Astor growls, “Shouldn’t he be in jail?”

I gasp.

The room falls silent.

Tom bends one knee, kneeling in the center of the room, a few feet in front of me. He pulls a black velvet box from his pocket, opens it, and reveals a beautiful diamond ring with a rose gold band that sparkles in the chandelier light. “Zoe Cocker, I know he didn’t give you a ring yet. That means your engagement is not official. Which also means this is my only chance to do this right.”

Caleb whispers, “Zoe…”

But I can’t look away from Tom, and the tears break free, raining down my cheeks.

On one knee with the entire room watching, Tom steels himself, jaw tight. “You seem like a good guy, Caleb, but I can’t let you take the only woman I’ve ever loved. Not if she loves me, too. I love you, Zoe. With all of my heart. And I think you feel the same way. So I’ve gotta ask, will you be by my side throughout all of the crazy things life will throw at us? Will you let me love you every single day? Will you marry me?”

Caleb says, “Zoe,” and I turn my head to lock eyes with him as my heart thuds at what he might say. He offers me a smile, “Your tears aren’t for me, Miss Cocker. I release you from your promise.”

“Really?” I slowly rise from my chair, stunned.

With maternal kindness, Mrs. Astor says, “Go child. Go to him. ”

Feeling I’m in a dream, I walk to Tom Bennet as he holds out the ring. “Hey Boss.”

“Hi!”

“I’m in love with you. Do you love me, too?”

The whole room holds their breath.

I kneel in front of Tom.

Quietly vow, “I do. I wish I’d known it sooner, and I’m sorry for all I’ve put you through. I love you, Tom.”

He wraps me in his arms.

And kisses me.

Everyone goes wild.

Somewhere in real life, outside of this dream I’m living in, I think I hear Caleb’s voice hollering the loudest. I look behind me and discover that it’s not in my imagination… Caleb is clapping harder than anyone else.

Suddenly I’m swept into Tom’s arms, his lopsided smile beaming at me.

Caleb shouts through cupped hands, “Atta boy, Tom! That’s the way to do it!”

Tom laughs, slams a happy kiss onto my lips, and carries me out of the room. Just as we pass through the entrance, he says for only me to hear, “If you had to be temporarily engaged to someone else, at least it was to a good guy.”

I wriggle my nose, and tease him, “You guys are just like my brothers are. Men! So unpredictable.”

Tom mutters to himself, deep in thought, “Brothers.” He presses the elevator button with his knee since his hands are busy holding me. “I have an idea…”

“What is it?

“Caleb and my sister!” Tom frowns at me. “Unless you’d have a problem with that.”

I burrow into his neck, overjoyed. “It’s perfect. He can still get his trust fund and…” I look at Tom, mind full of romantic ideas for them. “I can see them together, can’t you?”

The doors whoosh open and we come face-to-face with Wyatt, who’s alone in the elevator, sees us and bursts with, “I knew it! I knew it!!!”

Tom carries me in as I ask, “Why aren’t you helping deliver my flowers?”

“I couldn’t miss this! Nathan took my car since we drove together. Tell me how this went down. I need all the details. I’m responsible, you know.”

Tom announces, “Caleb and I are about to be brothers.”

Wyatt blinks at Tom, then me, then back to Tom. “What the fuck?!”