Page 6 of The Rule of 3

“Why, what?” he stammered. “Why won’t I take up your time, why should you let me in, or why do I think you’re busy?”

“Any of those, Tanner. What are you doing here? You broke my heart years ago, and outside of one single lame-ass text message, you never contacted me again. And now you come with flowers like I’m something important to you? Wasn’t your date last week with Felicia Bingham any good?” She hadn’t meant for that last question to pop out of her mouth because it might have seemed she cared or paid attention, but somehow, she couldn’t help herself.

Running his free hand through his hair, Tanner looked down and then straight into Zoë’s eyes. “I have no idea how you know about Felicia, but believe me when I say I did that as a favor to my mother, and I have no intention of sitting through another evening of listening to her carry on about her pet chickens ever again.” He let out an exasperated sigh. “Please, Zoë. Let me at least come in so no one sees me standing here looking like a pathetic loser.”

“Yes, appearances are everything, aren’t they? We wouldn’t want the town to think you’re anything but perfect now, would we?” She stepped back, and just as Tanner started to follow her inside, she closed the door in his face, nearly smacking his nose in the process.

Well, that could have gone better.

Chapter 8

Not knowing what else to do or who else to call, Tanner phoned Eli. His friend sounded delighted to hear from him until he heard Tanner’s voice.

“I fucked up again, Eli.”

“Uh-oh. Tell me what you did.”

Sighing, Tanner explained, “I went to see Zoë. She’s done everything in her power to avoid me and act like I don’t exist, which is pretty tough in a town the size of Honeybee Hollow, believe me. I finally just got fed up and bought a bouquet of flowers, went to her house, and got the door slammed in my face. So, now what?”

After a pause, Eli asked, “I guess the big question is, do you still have feelings for her?”

“You know I do, Eli. I have the same feelings for her as I do for you. And it’s like my life is a big empty box of nothin’ without you.”

“Even with your exciting job as mayor?” Eli asked with a smile.

Tanner snorted. “The job is great. I love it, in fact, and I think I’m really doing some good things here for the town. But my personal life sucks! I’m so fucking lonely all the time, even though there are people around me constantly. Besides my family, I have my assistant Opal and the town council, and residents who ask me over to their houses for dinner so often, my oven probably has spider webs in it. But I have no one to… you know…” Tanner’s voice dropped to a whisper, “love.”

In a voice full of understanding, Eli said softly, “Look, Tanner. You knew this was going to be a challenge in many ways. You just have to play the long game. Start with small gestures and win back Zoë’s trust somehow. Then up the ante gradually. Did she act really pissed at you?”

“You could say that. She told me I broke her heart and dumped her. She seems to think I’m either having a great time dating other women around town or if that’s not working out well, I’m trying to get back into her good graces—like maybe she’s some consolation prize or something.” Tanner blew out an exasperated breath.

Eli brightened and exclaimed, “Tanner, that’s great news for you!”

“How? She almost flattened my nose with her front door.” Tanner rubbed his face thinking about it.

Chuckling, Eli explained, “Ignore the slamming door. It means she still cares, Tanner.”

“You think so?”

“Absolutely. It kills me to say so because you know I love you and want you all to myself, but this is ourplan, Tanner. Go get your girl. And call me when you’ve made some headway. Or… call me anytime. I know you’ll eventually persuade her.” Eli added in a voice choked with emotion, “You’re irresistible.”

So, bolstered by Eli’s encouragement, Tanner ordered more flowers to be delivered to the kindergarten room. He added a card that said, “Always thinking of you. Love, T.”

Zoë received the flowers, removed the card, and after school ended, she drove them to the local nursing home. She left instructions for them to be given to anyone who seemed particularly lonely that day.

The next week, another bouquet arrived with a card attached that said, “I’m an idiot, and I never stopped loving you.” She took those to the nursing home and dropped them off with the same instructions.

Week after week, the flowers arrived with notes that she removed. Each arrangement went to the nursing home, much to the delight of the residents who started to look forward to the weekly delivery.

Finally, after three months of flowers for which Zoë had never thanked Tanner or acknowledged in any way other than to get rid of them, a bouquet that was somewhat larger than the previous ones arrived. This time the note said, “Am I at least a little bit forgiven? Will you talk to me now? If so, please meet me at the park tonight at 8:00. Love, T.”

Tanner arrived at the park at 7:30, he was so anxious to see Zoë. Unfortunately, it was a dreary, cold evening, and he sat on the bench shivering until 9:00. Alone. He finally gave up and went home when he feared he was losing feeling in his toes.Why didn’t I ask her to meet me somewhere indoors and warm like a restaurant or a bar? You know why, dummy. You wanted to avoid public humiliation.

Tanner knew, through the town grapevine, that his flowers were gracing the rooms of the elderly folk at Coventry House rather than Zoë’s classroom or house, but that was alright. Still, it was time to step up his efforts with the stubborn woman.

Soon it would be time for the annual Princeton reunions where he and Eli could put their heads together and come up with a plan. Tanner looked forward to it more than he could say.

Chapter 9

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