Page 35 of Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker

“Please just listen a second?” I raise my hands in a plea for calm. “I need your support in this decision because I’m going to do it. No more treating me like I’m your kid sister! I’m older than both of you! This marriageishappening. And it’s a lot! I need you on my side. Trust me, because… it’s all very new and confusing.”

Wyatt’s jaw clenches. “Confusing? Ya think?!! We want to meet him. This isn’t just some fling, Zoe. You’re talking about marriage!”

I feel a wave of frustration wash over me. “As if I’ve ever had a fling! I didn’t plan this! Yet here I am. Getting married. It’s done. You can’t stop it!”

Tom stands beside me, a silent pillar of support. I glance at him, and for a brief moment, his presence steadies me.

He looks between my brothers and me. “Maybe you could give Zoe some space to breathe,” Tom suggests, respectful but firm. “She’s an adult, and whatever she decides is her choice.”

Wyatt’s expression shifts slightly, surprised by Tom’s assertiveness. Few people stand up to him. Especially when he’s in uniform! “This isn’t about you, man. This is family,” Wyatt smirks, but there’s a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

“Yes, it is,” I say, my heart pounding. “And you’re mine, so I need you to back me up and be here for me. You want to meethim? Fine. You’ll have many chances, because he’s going to be my husband. Have you told Nicholas? Or Mom and Dad?”

Nathan explains, “Samantha just called me,” body tense, “I called Wyatt and he picked me up at the station.” Since they’ve always been so close, the two youngest, it doesn’t surprise me that they’d fact-check first before bringing everyone in, even our eldest sibling, Nicholas.

“Can you please wait for me to tell him? And Mom and Dad? And Grandma and Grandpa? And Aunt Cecily and Uncle Mike and…”

“Zoe!” Wyatt holds up his hand. “You don’t have to list everyone.”

“I just want to make sure I don’t miss someone because you could go and tell them and say I didn’t tell you not to.”

“Do you love him?” Nathan asks, and all three men look at me.

“I…I just met him,” I slowly answer. “But I like him. He’s nice. Now I really have to work. Can you at least let me finish these bouquets?”

My brothers stare at me for a few long seconds, and say in unison, “Fine.”

As they head for the door, my heart calms.

Wyatt walks out first, shaking his head, “I can’t believe she did this!”

Nate pauses to say, “This alarm, Zoe…it’s so you.”

I offer a tired smile. “Everything in this shop is so me.”

Nate flashes a grin, “Yeah,” but there’s worry still in his eyes. “We’ll talk later?!”

“Promise.”

He bends to pet Ralphie, “Stay here, Ralphie old boy,” carefully closing the door as my cat walks to watch the world pass by the windows.

I turn to Tom and find him watching me. “Thanks for standing up for me,” I say quietly, grateful for his unwavering support.

“Anytime,” he replies, his smile returning, though there’s a hint of something troubled in his gaze.

“Do you know how much I rely on you, Tom? You make me feel lighter.”

“Do I?”

I smile, “Uh huh,” reaching out and touching his hand. “What would I have done if you hadn’t been here?” He starts to speak, but I explode, “Oh! The bouquets. Let me run and get that eucalyptus! If I hurry you’ll be able to get them to the Bentworth’s on time! Timing is everything.”

I dash off as he heads for his box and I swear I hear him say under his breath, “And sometimes you’re just too late.”

SIXTEEN

Zoe

As the last rays of sunlight slip through the windows of Florist Shop, I take a deep breath, welcoming the sweet scents of blooms to wash over me one last time before heading home. After Tom left with the deliveries, it got very busy in here, loads of pedestrians ambling in and buying up many of my plants, making the shelves feel emptier to me now. I’ll tend to them tomorrow.

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