Page 83 of Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker

Caleb is looking at his father as if this personal information given so freely is a revelation. He blinks to me, and takes my hand. What should warm me sends chills to my heart. A dish of glazed salmon is placed in front of me, and I catch the watchful stares of the crowd, swallowing hard my sorrow. My loss of hope.

They’ve forgiven me.

My wedding is still imminent.

Even nearly killing the man didn’t change anything.

The Astors start to eat and I lift my fork, mirroring them, but I cannot taste the food.

“How is it?” Caleb asks.

“Good,” I answer, though I have no way to tell if it’s a lie. “How is yours?”

“Fine.”

I force a smile that I do not feel, and return to eating my meal. The other guests are now talking amongst themselves, butall I see are mouths moving. My dulled gaze narrows and shifts toward the live orchestra. I see bows sliding across violins and cellos, mouths blowing into flutes and trumpets, but hear none of them.

A wave of stranger’s faces spins toward the entrance, drawing my attention to look in that direction with them.

“What’s he doing here?” Caleb asks from my side.

Tom Bennet walks into the enormous, glamorous space, wearing a black T-shirt, ripped blue jeans, and black boots. Suddenly, as if through a fog, the orchestra’s musical notes reach my ears. My heart. My soul.

Tears rush to my eyes.

Caleb notices. “Zoe?”

Mrs. Astor exclaims, “What in the world is that person doing?”

Mr. Astor growls, “Shouldn’t he be in jail?”

I gasp.

The room falls silent.

Tom bends one knee, kneeling in the center of the room, a few feet in front of me. He pulls a black velvet box from his pocket, opens it, and reveals a beautiful diamond ring with a rose gold band that sparkles in the chandelier light. “Zoe Cocker, I know he didn’t give you a ring yet. That means your engagement is not official. Which also means this is my only chance to do this right.”

Caleb whispers, “Zoe…”

But I can’t look away from Tom, and the tears break free, raining down my cheeks.

On one knee with the entire room watching, Tom steels himself, jaw tight. “You seem like a good guy, Caleb, but I can’t let you take the only woman I’ve ever loved. Not if she loves me, too. I love you, Zoe. With all of my heart. And I think you feel the same way. So I’ve gotta ask, will you be by my side throughout allof the crazy things life will throw at us? Will you let me love you every single day? Will you marry me?”

Caleb says, “Zoe,” and I turn my head to lock eyes with him as my heart thuds at what he might say. He offers me a smile, “Your tears aren’t for me, Miss Cocker. I release you from your promise.”

“Really?” I slowly rise from my chair, stunned.

With maternal kindness, Mrs. Astor says, “Go child.Go to him.”

Feeling I’m in a dream, I walk to Tom Bennet as he holds out the ring. “Hey Boss.”

“Hi!”

“I’m in love with you. Do you love me, too?”

The whole room holds their breath.

I kneel in front of Tom.

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