Page 42 of Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker

“Yeah.”

“I’m not out this way much.”

Zoe chimes in, “The Vortex.”

Nicholas reminds her, “You and I usually go to the one in Midtown, Zoe.”

“Oh right,” she smiles, beautiful green eyes rolling at her forgetfulness.

“Closer to my house,” he lets me know.

“Ah,” I nod.

“Americano, no room!” the barista shouts over the many conversations.

“That’s me.” I jog my thumb toward the counter. “Just came in to jump-start my psyche.”

“This late?” Zoe asks.

“Studying tonight.”

“Oh! That makes sense.”

Nicholas glances to his phone. “Dammit, forgot to hit send. Hang on. My wife is wondering when I’m coming home.”

“You got married?”

“Madison,” he nods and sits down, reading her text. “Stunner. Saint. Ball buster.” Tapping away on his phone he adds, “I love her more than I’ve loved anyone or anything.”

My gaze locks onto Zoe. She’s staring at him, fingering her necklace in thought. And here I am awkwardly standing beside their table knowing I have to go get that coffee, leave this place, let her live her life…without me and my stupid romantic ideas. “Good to see you both.”

Zoe looks up at me, brow furrowing. “Tom, you wouldn’t mind giving me a ride home, would you? I came with Nicholas, but…” Her voice trails off, and she bites her lip, looking at me with those big, green eyes of hers filled with hope.

“Of course,” I reply too quickly. “I’d be happy to.”

“Sent!” Nicholas looks up. “What’d I miss?”

“Tom is going to give me a ride home.”

“Oh good! That’s perfect.” They rise up and he hugs Zoe. “Bye sis, I’m sorry I made you face the music.”

“This is so rough!”

He exhales, hugs her tighter. “It’s gonna be okay.”

“I know it will,” she whispers, closing her eyes and hugging him back.

Completely in the dark, I decide to wait until we’re alone to ask her what’s going on. “Just gonna grab my coffee.”

“And Ralphie is in my brother’s car out front.”

“Oh right! You’ve gotta get Ralphie,” Nicholas says, “I’ll meet you outside,” making his way through the crowd with his head down as he taps out a text to his wife, probably telling her he’ll be home quicker than he thought since I’m driving Zoe home.

“You came here straight from Florist Shop?”

“Yes,” she sighs, “I am so crazy tired.”

“Let’s get you back home.”

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