Page 84 of Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker

Quietly vow, “I do. I wish I’d known it sooner, and I’m sorry for all I’ve put you through. I love you, Tom.”

He wraps me in his arms.

And kisses me.

Everyone goes wild.

Somewhere in real life, outside of this dream I’m living in, I think I hear Caleb’s voice hollering the loudest. I look behind me and discover that it’s not in my imagination… Caleb is clapping harder than anyone else.

Suddenly I’m swept into Tom’s arms, his lopsided smile beaming at me.

Caleb shouts through cupped hands, “Atta boy, Tom! That’s the way to do it!”

Tom laughs, slams a happy kiss onto my lips, and carries me out of the room. Just as we pass through the entrance, he says for only me to hear, “If youhadto be temporarily engaged to someone else, at least it was to a good guy.”

I wriggle my nose, and tease him, “You guys are just like my brothers are. Men! So unpredictable.”

Tom mutters to himself, deep in thought, “Brothers.” He presses the elevator button with his knee since his hands are busy holding me. “I have an idea…”

“What is it?

“Caleb and my sister!” Tom frowns at me. “Unless you’d have a problem with that.”

I burrow into his neck, overjoyed. “It’s perfect. He can still get his trust fund and…” I look at Tom, mind full of romantic ideas for them. “I can see them together, can’t you?”

The doors whoosh open and we come face-to-face with Wyatt, who’s alone in the elevator, sees us and bursts with, “I knew it! Iknewit!!!”

Tom carries me in as I ask, “Why aren’t you helping deliver my flowers?”

“I couldn’t miss this! Nathan took my car since we drove together. Tell me how this went down. I need all the details. I’m responsible, you know.”

Tom announces, “Caleb and I are about to be brothers.”

Wyatt blinks at Tom, then me, then back to Tom. “What the fuck?!”

THIRTY-EIGHT

Zoe

We’re at Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Michael’s, in the room my father grew up in. It’s been turned into a guest room but saved, for posterity, the high school trophies and one football, baseball bat and framed photos of him and Uncle Jake when they were young.

“Something old.” Samantha shows me a jeweled hair comb, “This was Grams’,” and slides it into my updo. “Grandma Nancy asked me to give it to you.”

“Truly?” I sigh, “I miss Grams so much.”

Lexi agrees with emotion in her voice, “We all do,” as she offers me tiny, white earrings shaped like roses. “Something new.Sam and I got these for you.”

“I love them!”

Mom presents a short veil that looks antique. “This was worn by my mother at her wedding.Something borrowed,but I want you to keep it.”

“Is that bad luck to, since it’s meant to be borrowed?”

“Hmm. Okay, maybe give it back to me after the wedding,” Mom winks. “Just in case.”

I turn to Elena as she says, “Something blue.”

“Oh my goodness, look at this!” I take the offered heart-shaped necklace from her. It’s silver and not blue, so I’m a little confused.

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