Page 17 of Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker

I run my fingers through my hair, pulling it free from its elastic as I stare through the front windows at the bustling street outside. People walk by, couples laughing, holding hands, andI feel a pang of longing. I’ve been so lonely for someone of my own, waiting for a love that seems increasingly unlikely…

He laughs, “You’re awfully quiet. Are these thoughts you’re having… good?”

I take a deep breath, clean, fragrant air filling my lungs. The idea of companionship, even in an unconventional way, tugs at my heart. And not just that, but he seems toneedsomeone to lighten his life. Maybe he needsme.

“Caleb,” I say slowly, “I should tell you right now that I don’t want the money. I know you’re offering it, but I don’t want it.”

He draws out a long, “Okay…” preparing for me to answer him with a no.

“However, the thought of having someone, even if it’s a friendship, a partnership, a plus-one, and not a traditional relationship, is… appealing.”

“Then you’re saying yes?”

Ralphie hollers at me, “Meow!”

“I’m thinking,” I bite my lip, absently watching pedestrians walk casually by while my mind does somersaults.

Maybe Caleb wasn’t meant to be just a stranger.

Take a chance.

Maybe he’s the key to unlocking connection.

Take a chance.

To having someone of my own.

Take a chance.

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

I swallow. “I’ll marry you.”

Caleb Astor III shouts, “Woohoooo!!!” and Ralphie jumps off the counter, sliding down my leg with claws out.

“Ow!” I cry, watching as he walks away from me. “What is with you today?!”

NINE

Zoe

Istep into my small studio apartment and hang my keys on an iron hook by the door, faint scent of pumpkin-vanilla lingering in the air from the candle I blew out before leaving. The single room is tidy and overflowing with plants, a mixture of pots on surfaces, hanging from hooks, pinned and traveling up walls. Soon they’ll all be transported to…where?

Where will we live?

Walking to my kitchen counter to set Ralphie’s carrier down — I leave the backpack at my shop for unexpected errand runs — I glance around thinking of the decision I’ve just made. I’m not going to be here much longer.

Ralphie grumbles, “Meow,” as I unzip the carrier and twist my body to allow him to jump to the floor without using my legs like a fireman’s pole again. He lands with grace and heads over to his favorite windowsill to leap upon where he can watch the world fly by outside.

Rubbing one of the scratches he embedded into my thigh, I sigh and lift his carrier to be put away underneath a small accent table by my front door. As I cross to it, photographs magnetically attached to the refrigerator catch my attention, side-tracking me. So many wonderful memories I gaze at while holding theforgotten carrier. My brothers, Nicholas, Wyatt and Nathan and I at Six Flags amusement park, screaming on the roller coaster. Dad and Mom with their arms around me at my high school graduation, all three of my brothers photo-bombing with goofy, eyes-crossed faces that made me have to get this print made. Mom and Dad wanted to take the picture without my brothers, showing me special attention since it was my celebration. But they wouldn’t let the prank potential go!

My gaze lands on the string of photo-booth pictures of me and Ryder, taken at the mall in Buckhead, Atlanta — four adorable images of us goofing around. A sinking feeling hits my gut as I think of all of the years I spent wishing we were more than friends. It felt like we got close to crossing the line, but then we never did.

I smile at the collection of photographs of me and my cousins, almost all taken at House Three — what Ryder nicknamed the apartment that Lexi, Samantha, and I shared. My favorite of them is this picture of Lexi holding up the cake she burnt with Sam and I holding each a charcoaled piece of it, pretending we’re about to eat them. And Sally Ashes, the other cat we shared. I took Ralphie, who was always in my room there, anyway. Sam got Sally, but shares her with Lexi whenever the need for furry lovin’s is required. The only one of us not taken at House Three is from one of our infamous Cocker Family BBQ’s where the whole family is present, milling about in the background while Lexi, Samantha, and I pose for the shot with huge smiles on our faces.

Last, my gaze falls upon a photograph of me and my team taken at Florist Shop, about two weeks after I hired Tom to replace a delivery guy who’d moved back to Wisconsin. The smiling faces of Perry and Amelia hold my attention for a split second until Tom arrests my focus and I lean in to admire his lopsided smile. He’s got his arm around me in this shot, theother one holding up a Peace sign, eyes warm and genuine, his smile easy and real.

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