Page 37 of Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker

“Problems? If this isn’t about money… wait a second!” His volume lowers. “Are you pregnant?”

I cry out, laughing, “No. Definitely not!” and glance toward Ralphie, who’s now meowing louder from the carrier, as if trying to gauge the situation. “Can we just maybe sit down somewhere? I’ll explain everything.”

Nicholas studies me, tension crackling between us. Finally, he sighs and nods, shoulders relaxing a fraction. “Fine. But you’re calling Mom and Dad first.”

“First?”

“First!”

My brother is digging his feet in, but I think I can distract him, tell all the details first and get his supportbeforecalling them, so I suggest, “Okay, okay. But can we get coffee first? Decaf? I need a second to prepare for that conversation.”

A small smile breaks through his frustration. “Alright, decaf coffee it is. This isn’t going to be an easy call.”

“There’s a shop two doors down,” I point and discover in so doing that its dark, closed for the night. “Oh, see, this is why I never paid much attention to it. They close before I do.”

“I’ll drive us up Ponce,” Nicholas announces, lifting Ralphie’s carrier from my arm. “Hey buddy, can you believe the insanity of what your momma did?”

As I mutter, “Mom’s gonna kill me,” Nicholas opens his car’s passenger door for me.

“Dad, too.”

I cry out, “Oh no, you think so?” and slide into the seat.

Nicholas lays Ralphie’s carrier on my lap and bends to look into my eyes. “I know so.”

“You’re not helping!”

He smirks, “You got yourself into this, little sister.”

As he straightens up to close the door I remind him, “I’m only two years younger than you!”

Before it shuts he mumbles, “You were born much younger than that.”

As he walks around the front of the Audi I watch his confident gait and frown, “What does that mean?”

“Meow!” Ralphie answers.

“You’re right, they all think I’m floaty-headed. Well, watch the floaty one become a Mrs. and move to New York!”

Nicholas opens the door. “You talking to yourself?”

“Yes.”

“Do you answer back?”

“Ralphie answers back.”

“Oh Zoe,” he smiles, reaching for my knee. “This guy better deserve you.”

I blink, surprised at what I just heard, and a smile slowly spreads on me. “Thank youfor that.”

Nicholas side-eyeballs me, left hand on the wheel, right hand starting the ignition. “You’re the biggest treasure in this city, Zoe, but you’ve never known it.” His gaze slides to the rearview mirror, gauging oncoming traffic. “What’s this guy’s name? I asked Wyatt and Nathan and they said they were so stunned they forgot to ask. I almost drove over and slapped them myself.”

Taken aback and feeling shy from the compliments, I whisper, “His name is Caleb Astor III.”

Nicholas repeats it, eyebrow knitting together. “Caleb Astor III. Got it. Evensoundslike money.” He eases into traffic. “Why do you think we’ve always looked out for you like we have?”

“Because youallthink I can’t look out for myself.”

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