Page 34 of Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker

“Severalorders from the Bentworths came in one after the other. All for tonight. They’re having a party and I have a feeling it’s an afterthought.”

Tom grins, “Like someone forgot an anniversary?”

“Or a birthday!”

We dive into the task, first cutting then arranging daisies, peonies, roses and so many more, my hands moving deftly as I teach him the basics of bouquet design. We laugh and joke about flower meanings, and I can feel the tension in my shoulders is gone. For a moment, it feels like just the two of us, lost in our own little world. “I want to add eucalyptus to these before?—”

“Zoe!” someone shouts as the bell on the door roars. In storm my brothers, Wyatt and Nathan, like a whirlwind of chaos. They’re furious, and I immediately know what’s up.

“Zoe!” Wyatt barks again, his policeman’s uniform making people outside stop and look through the windows to see what illegal acts have been discovered in here. “We need to talk!”

My heart races as I glance at Tom who’s still beside me, and back to my brothers to ask, “Is everything okay?”

“Is everythingokay?!” Nate echoes incredulously, crossing his arms over his fireman’s uniform.

A busy-body looky-loo has poked her head in, “Yes, is everything okay?” or perhaps she’s just hoping to begin a conversation with one of my handsome brothers. A man in uniform is one thing, but a Cocker in uniform is ten-fold.

Nathan gives her his boyish grin. “All is well, miss. Just talking to our sister.”

Tom offers, “She owns this shop, if you ever need flowers.”

The busy-body smiles, nods, and hesitates. Wyatt cocks an eyebrow at her. “Nothing to see here. Move along,” forcing her to disappear.

“Wyatt!” I scold him, “Now she might not become a customer!”

“You’ve committed to this marriage of convenience with some stranger, and you didn’t tell us?”

“What are you talking about? I don’t know what you mean.”

Wyatt crosses his arms, his brows furrowing. “Focus, Zoe! You and some stranger are getting married. We heard about it. Some incredibly wealthy guy you met just days ago! This isn’t like you. What’s going on? Do you need money?”

“I’m not doing it for the money!”

Tom turns to me. “You’re not?”

My brothers both stare at Tom, and Wyatt says, “Wait, we know you!”

Tom shifts his weight, introducing himself. “I’m Tom Bennet,” he says, voice friendly despite the tension. “I’m just helping Zoe with some bouquets that are, uh, due to go outsoon.”

“Thank you, Tom,” I whisper, raising my voice to assert myself, “I have to get these orders out, guys. Now is not a good time.”

Wyatt’s and Nathan’s gazes narrow, and I can see the gears turning in their heads. “Tom Bennet,” Nate says slowly. “You were on our football team in high school! You were a senior when Wyatt was a freshman.” They shake hands. “Good to see you again.”

Tom chuckles. “Good to see you too, Nate.”

“What’re you doing here?” Wyatt huffs. “We heard some billionaire stranger was engaged to Zoe, not you.”

Tom’s eyes flicker and I interject, “He works with me.”

“Forher,” Tom corrects me. “She’s my boss. I’m doing deliveries, returned back to college.”

Nathan blinks and Wyatt dips his chin, “That’s cool. What’re you studying?”

“Family Law.”

“Huh. That’s a lot of…wait! We came in here to find out what our sister is up to with this crazy news we just heard.”

Remembering to be aggravated, Nathan agrees, “We can catch up with you later.Zoe, what is going on?”

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