Page 29 of Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker

Caleb

Zoe’s Florist Shop is an assault of color and fragrance, air dominated by the scents of roses and lilies. Sunlight filters through the windows casting a warm glow on everything. So why am I in such a foul mood all of a sudden?

Her cat hisses at me.

I raise an eyebrow and take a deep breath to shake off the irritation her delivery guy left behind. What about him made me angry? Our marriage will be one of convenience, an arrangement that suits us both for different reasons. I’m marrying Zoe because not only will I unlock my trust fund but she’s the perfect addition to the life I’m building — sweet, hardworking, and completely oblivious to the world of wealth I inhabit. Andsheneeds the reliability of having a partner. A plus-one she called it.

It should be simple, but now that I’m here in front of her, seeing her eye-to-eye for the first time since my phone-proposal, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s an unspoken barrier between us. Because there is one.

We’re strangers.

And that guy.

Isn’t one.

“Hey, Zoe,” I say, forcing a smile as I approach the counter.

She looks up from her computer, expression brightening, but there’s a flicker of something in her eyes. “Caleb! So sorry! I was ignoring you. Some orders just came in. And my ADHD brain is unpredictable in its focus, to say the least.”

“Oh yeah?” I reply, thinking her admission vulnerable. I haven’t told her of any of my flaws yet. Glancing around the shop I consider the fact that I haven’t shared with my future wife that I’m in a program for problem drinkers who’ve trashed hotel rooms and embarrassed their parents. “I have things of my own…like that.”

“You’ve got ADHD?”

“No.”

“Oh, um…OCD?”

“No. Doyouhave OCD?"

“No.” The screen catches her attention again, and saves me from having to answer more questions.

Instead I deflect by sending her one. “Nice place. How’s everything going here?”

“It’s busy, as always,” she says, looping a strand of hair into her bun. “I’m very blessed.”

“You work hard,” I correct her.

“I do my part. God does the rest,” she shrugs.

I nod, trying to ignore the uncomfortable silence that settles in. There’s still undeniably a tension between us, a sense of formality we have yet to breach. In an effort to get to know her better I ask, “Are you a religious person?”

“I go to church. My cousins and I go together.”

“Ah…” I nod.

Zoe looks up at me, her green eyes warm and kind. “It’s okay if you don’t believe what I believe. I won’t needyouto go with me, Caleb. I believe everyone can believe what they feel is right in their hearts.”

After a moment of silence I confess, “I believe in a Higher Power, just not sure what exactly that is. I’m still figuring it out.”

Her smiles is kind and patient, “Do we ever really know until it’s all over?”

“Speaking of churches…” I venture, hoping to steer the conversation to a more comfortable direction. “I’ve been thinking about our wedding, as I mentioned.”

Zoe’s eyes widen, and I’m not sure if her interest is piqued despite the lingering awkwardnessorif she merely remembered I’d brought up the topic before, when herfriendwas here. “What do you have in mind?”

I had zero ideas when I walked in here today, but that Tom guy irked me. He seemed like he owned the place, and had a claim on Zoe. I have no doubt he’s interested in her as more than his friendorhis boss. I’ve no reason to feel threatened, being who I am, but somehow I do so I changed tactics and brought up our wedding, claiming to have plans. I walked around her shop and forced myself to come up with some that I think are actually quite good.

I lean against the marble counter, feeling a surge of confidence. “How about a romantic ceremony by the lake in Piedmont Park? Picture it — at sunset, water shimmering, ducks floating by, and us standing there with our closest friends and family.” Probably five hundred or more, but I’m not going to freak her out yet with that information.

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