Page 14 of Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker

To the bell I say, “I thought that was an awful exit, too,” and stand here with the cheerful flower cuttings that litter my counter suddenly feeling overwhelming and burdensome, like cleaning up is too hard right now. My spirits are as wilted as that arrangement I brought back from the hotel a day too late.

Why am I being so sensitive?

I wasn’t even aware I had a crush on Tom until today! Biting my lip, I look back on the ten months he’s worked for me, wondering where it began? Is it simply that my shutting the door on Ryder, finally, opened my eyes?

Great.

Just what I need.

Another unrequited crush.

I clean up the cuttings, tools, vases, and finally the counter with a damp cloth, inspecting it in the light to see if I missed a spot. “Well, Ralphie, it’s just you and me again.”

His green eyes lazily land on mine, and he stretches, the patch of sun now gone.

Picking up my duster, I cross to a shelf, humming to myself in a strained attempt to lift my mood. But I can’t shake the feeling that perhaps I’m destined to remain in this floral paradise, surrounded by beauty and supplying flowers for romance, but forever waiting for the moment when love finds me, when someone I care about finally notices the girl behind the flowers.

I react to the muffled ringing of my phone from inside my backpack’s side pocket, and hurry over to answer it before the call reaches voicemail, backpack crumpled on the floor as I kneel beside it, hurrying to answer, “Florist Shop!” with a forced smile.

A deep voice asks, “Zoe Cocker?”

“Yes, sorry! This is Zoe. Can I help you?”

“I hope so. This is Caleb Astor III. I was wondering… would you marry me?”

My eyes go wide, and I scream as Ralphie leaps onto my back.

EIGHT

Zoe

“Ralphie! Jeez! You scared me! Your claws,” I cry out, digging them out of my back and untangling him from my body. “I’m so sorry, Caleb. My mischievous ball of fur called a cat just tackled me from out of nowhere. He never does that!” Standing up, I stretch my spine. “I was so taken off guard it sounded like you said…” I awkwardly laugh, feeling ridiculous for even thinking he just asked me to marry him. “…never mind. I thought I heard something. Are you calling me about the event?”

“Zoe, you heard right. I asked you to marry me.”

I blink, glancing around the shop, taking in colors that seem to swirl and dance as confusion and dizziness take hold. “But we just met today. You’re messing with me, aren’t you? This is a joke.”

“I am not messing with you. I would never joke about this.”

Why doesn’t he sound more stressed out, if he’s really attempting this crazy thing? How is his voice so smooth and charming? It’s hard for me to believe, truly!

“You’re asking me tomarryyou? Like walk down the aisle in front of the people we know and love? Saying we’re going to spend a life together? Aloud?”

“I know this sounds a bit unconventional…”

“A bit?” I whisper.

“…but marrying me would actually be beneficial for both of us.”

Beneficial?That’s not a term I’ve imagined in connection with the marriage of my dreams. This is a huge no, his proposal, but I’m so taken aback that I must get to the bottom of this.

Gently, so as not to hurt his feelings, I press, “Why would you ask me such a thing? Are you really serious about this?”

“Completely serious,” he replies, unwavering in his confidence. “I need to get married to secure the inheritance of my trust fund.”

A sinking in my chest overtakes me. “Oh, I see.”

“But it won’t just be a formality. Think of it as a strategic partnership.”

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