Page 56 of Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker

We dive into the task of filling today’s orders, sorting through the vibrant array of flowers in the refrigerated room with my making notes of what needs replenishing, event or no event.

Just as we’re finalizing our last centerpiece, the door swings open, and in walks Tom. My heart skips a beat. The way he looked at me last night. His eyes sparkling with more than friendship. What we said. How he looked without a shirt on. All of it smacks my brain, memory after memory, until I find myself not even able to say hello.

Amelia, oblivious, waves, “Hi Tom!”

His eyes are on me. “Zoe?” he asks, voice deep and smooth, surprise flickering. “I didn’t expect to see you here today.”

Outwardly I keep my composure, but his presence sends butterflies swirling in my stomach. In all the immediacy, and with how my mind works in general, I forgot I’d probably run into him today. “I um, had to come in. We’re working on that big event I think I told you about.” Is my voice higher than normal?

“Big event?”

“Caleb’s father’s retirement dinner.”

“Right,” Tom nods, yet from his reaction it isn’t clear if I told him about the event or not. The fact that I can’t remember isn’t a surprise to me, and I don’t have time to find out!

“A lot of people,” I lamely add. “Very busy.”

“Can we talk outside for a minute?”

My heart races at the thought, and I exchange a quick glance with Amelia, who wiggles her eyebrows in curiosity.

“Of course,” I reply, trying to sound casual as I walk toward the door.

“What are you guys talking about?” Amelia asks. She’s just out of high school and can’t help herself. Drama and gossip are huge draws for her, not for me.

“Nothing,” I reply with a finality that drops her smile.

“Wait,” she worries, “Tom, are you quitting?”

“No,” he answers, grabbing the door for me, both of us ignoring the roar of the bell since we’re so used to it.

Once outside, the crisp morning air fills my lungs. I take a huge breath as I turn to face him, heart pounding. “What’s up?”

Tom steps closer, expression serious. “I wanted to talk about what happened last night. I didn’t think you’d be here, and I wanted to catch you alone.”

My cheeks flush with him being so near. “Yes, we said a lot of things, and I?—”

“—I like you, Zoe,” he interrupts, his eyes locked with mine. Someone honks and we look over at Tom’s Jeep which is parallel parked illegally right in front of Florist Shop. “Drive around,” Tom shouts, and ignores the guy’s middle finger, returning to tell me, “I’ve liked you for a while now, and when you said you feel the same, I knew I had to say a lot more on the subject. But then you told me that Caleb was coming over.”

The world around us fades as I try and process his words. “I don’t have time to talk about this right now, Tom” I whisper.

“But you do want to talk about it?”

“I don’t know if I even have an answer for that. I’ve got so much pressing down on me right now. I do want to hear what you have to say, but there are fifty tables I have to dress, plus make arrangements for the entrance, for all of it, by tomorrow night!” My eyes go wide, heart stopping. “Oh no!”

Tom leans closer, worry on his face. “What? What is it?”

“I’m supposed to be at Four Seasons! What time is it?”

Digging his phone from his back pocket, Tom reads it and tells me, “Quarter to ten.”

“I’m supposed to be there at ten! Oh Tom, can you drive me! I didn’t bring my car!”

“Of course. Let’s go!”

I run inside. “Amelia! Help us load Tom’s car with today’s orders!” To Tom I cry out, “We’ll bring them with us and deliver everything on the way back!”

“You got it, Boss!”

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