“It’s still just one vote,” said Katie.
Will began to groan but Zoe patted his back. When he glanced down to read her face, she nodded at the closed doors, which Aunt Octavia opened again.
“Allow me to introduce you all to your other cousins, my twins, Amber and Audra.”
“Guess y’all should have done a little more investigating,” Eva laughed.
Joyce and Dana both leaned across the table toward Katie. “We outnumber you now.”
Whatever bickering went on, Will didn’t care. Legally, the pro-cousins had won this round. Will wrapped his arms around Zoe again. “You are my hero, you know that?”
Zoe pressed her lips together and nodded. “Given that I’m a nerd, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
* * *
After the hustle and bustle of New York Fashion week, Zoe was excited to finally get back to Southwood to meet up with her parents to witness their re-proposal. Because of everyone’s busy calendars, they kept having to reschedule their vacation. It was a shame Will couldn’t make it this weekend, but given the excitement of the return of Octavia Ravens, Ravens Cosmetics was constantly in the news, and that was a good thing. Titus resigned and the position was still open.
“How does she look?” Dressed in a dark suit similar to the one he’d worn over twenty-five years ago, Frank Baldwin met Zoe as she came down the walkway of the backyard of Magnolia Palace.
The “she” would be her mother, Jamerica. “She’s beautiful and ready for you to propose again.” Zoe added the last bit with a teasing eye roll. She enjoyed her parents involving her with this re-creation. This made her feel more of a family, since they were already so nontraditional. How many children got to witness their parents’ engagement? But that was something Zoe had learned over the last few weeks. Family—no matter where they were or how close or far they were from each other—was family.
Last week Zoe had had the time of her life at the Ravens compound celebrating Grandma Naomi Ravens’s ninetieth birthday. Away from the company, the anti-cousins were not as intimidating. Octavia was there, along with her three kids, and she shared the reason why she’d left. She’d been too afraid to face her parents. Back then, teen pregnancy was not popular. Either way, Zoe thoroughly enjoyed her time with Will and his family, but she just wished she and Will could have had more time together.
“It’s important to create memories, Zoe,” her father said, tugging her arm. “Most people like to renew their vows.”
“But we’re not most people.” Zoe nodded and laughed. Her canvas shoes hit the front step of the boards to the dock. The cooling weather called for a long, pumpkin-colored sweater layered over a cream camisole and cuffed denim shorts. She figured she’d take the sweater off after her father proposed. Later on today, Ramon Torres would fire up the grill and Zoe secretly hoped she’d get a chance to see Kenzie once again. With everything going on in her mind, Zoe tripped over the raised wood of the dock.
“My clumsy daughter.” Frank chuckled.
“Whatever.”
Frank patted Zoe’s hand. “Just remember, I’ll always be here to catch you.”
“Uh, thanks,” Zoe said slowly. Her father quit walking and Zoe raised a brow. “What are you doing?”
“I think I forgot the ring,” he began, backing up. “Can you do me a favor and make sure your mother doesn’t come around that corner and find the spot empty?”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Fine.” How could he have forgotten the important part of the day? Zoe shook her head and laughed at the craziness of her parents. While her father fretted over the ring, her mother was in the bathroom scrutinizing the beauty work Zoe had done on her.
While hurricane season was still in full effect for Florida, Southwood was in line for the powerful weather. The magnolia leaves were gone but the wood of the docks was still slippery. Zoe kept her head down to make sure she didn’t slip. Not looking ahead, she nearly walked into an unexpected figure on the dock.
“Whoa, sorry,” Zoe exclaimed. Then she locked eyes with Will. “Oh, my God, what are you doing around here?” She threw her arms around his neck. Will spun her around two times before setting her down. She placed her hand against his chest. He still wore a light-blue button-down Oxford shirt with a pair of khakis. “Did you leave work early?”