Page 26 of Unlocking Hope

“Not sure if that is the best idea. You’ve been taking her to the range a lot. She might shoot you this time if she finds out you talked to them and didn’t let her know, especially since the meeting is probably about her.”

Cole ran his hand through his hair and started to walk toward his SUV. “I don’t want her to worry.”

Ian followed, shaking his head. “I always have your back, man, but I think you should tell Zoey because when she finds out, she’s going to be pissed you didn’t tell her.”

Cole snorted. “‘Pissed’ will be an understatement, but I would rather have her pissed and safe.”

Ian shrugged. “No matter what I say, you’re not going to change your mind. So when you have to grovel, make sure you know her favorite color, food, and flower.”

Cole couldn’t help but smile. “Purple, steak, and daisies.”

“Well, at least you know what you’re going to need to make her happy.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m always here for you.”

Cole leaned in and hugged his friend. “The meeting’s on Monday. I will be late coming to the job.”

“Call if you need me.”

On the ride home, Cole put the meeting with his brothers out of his mind. He was excited to go home and get dinner ready for Zoey. He wanted to celebrate her first week of work. The flower store was on his way home so he stopped and picked up a bouquet of daisies.

Zoey

When Zoey pulledup to the house, Cole was waiting by the door. She’d known the auction was in the afternoon, and she hadn’t been sure she would make it back before him. She parked his BMW in the driveway. Earlier in the week, she’d had to talk him out of taking her to the dealership to buy a car. He thought the BMW was too old. It was way better than the vehicle she had pawned to stay in a hotel for a week before the streets, though.

Cole was holding white daisies.

“Oh my god, I love them.”

“They didn’t have purple, so I got white.” Cole congratulated her on her first week of work.

Zoey rushed with her flowers into the kitchen and put them in water. She didn’t even care what kind they were. No one had ever brought her flowers, so Zoey was excited to get any, but he’d remembered from the first day when she mentioned daisies.

“They’re perfect.” Zoey smiled as she put her nose into the bouquet. She knew she would have to move out soon, not because she didn’t want to keep dating him. But she didn’t want him to feel obligated to let her live with him.

Cole held up two bottles of wine. “Red or white?”

“White.” She ran her fingers over her lips and walked across the kitchen. “I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

“You don’t have to thank me. Sit. I have dinner in the oven. While I get it ready, tell me about your day.”

“I really enjoy working there. I know it’s only the first week, and every job is fun for the first week, but I think I’m going to like it. The CFO and I sat down today and went over theupcoming year’s budget. She was impressed with my knowledge and wants me to think about becoming a CPA. She said the company would pay for it.”

Cole took a sip of his wine. “That is amazing. Is that something you want to do?”

“Yes, but it is a lot of work, and what happens if I don’t pass?”

“I have faith in you. Hell, I will help you study.”

“I’m going to think about it.” She tapped her fingers on the wine glass. “Tell me about the house—did you get it?”

“Yep and another one,” Cole grumbled.

“Oh, the one we drove by the other day?” The house had looked straight out of a horror movie. She’d joked with Cole that it would be better to bulldoze it.

Cole leaned against the kitchen counter. “Yep, nobody bid on the thing.”

---