Author's Note: I'm re-writing a little of Wade's background as well as Jonah's to make this make sense J Thanks!
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or recognizable icons of Hart of Dixie.
Chapter 1:
Franko's Diner
"I will never forgive you for ruining our business over this wild goose chase!" Lemon Breeland's unmistakable high-pitched voice pierced through the diner. Jonah Breeland looked up from where he stood waiting for Zoe Hart. He scanned the thin crowd looking for the electric blonde hair of his cousin. He met her eyes just as she spotted him.
"Lemon?" Jonah asked, still astonished to be running into his cousin in this out-of-the-way diner.
"Jonah? What are you doing here?" Lemon asked equally astonished. She had no fathomable idea as to why her cousin would be here.
"Long story," Jonah answered while hugging Lemon, "You want some pie?" He was at a loss for words. He knew that in a few short moments Zoe would emerge from the restroom and the situation had the high probability of exploding.
"Oh, thank heavens you are here! I have been in a horror movie that never ends and keeps spawning sequels," Lemon stated exasperatingly. Jonah could easily guess she was agitated with Wade Kinsella who stood a few feet behind her looking uncomfortable. Wade and Jonah knew each other from competitive sports in high school. Unlike George Tucker, Jonah had a pretty decent relationship with Wade. The understood each other. Jonah was all too familiar with the family drama associated with an absentee parent. Though Jonah never had to deal with his remaining parent suffering through substance abuse issues, his mom had to work two jobs to keep up appearances that they still had money after his father left them. With his mom always at work, Jonah spent most of his time at his favorite uncle's house. And so, he became accustomed to Lemon's outbursts.
At that moment, Zoe chose to exit the restroom and join the group. She was waving her arms around frantically, and she looked….well, Jonah had to admit she looked adorable.
"Oh, my!" Lemon stated as soon as she noticed the tiny doctor.
Wade looked both thankful and terrified, but he waved and attempted a meek, "Hey, doc." Jonah took particular notice of Wade's reaction and watched him with interest. He knew from town gossip and short exchanges with Zoe that she had a past with Wade. Jonah was under the impression that their breakup was some time ago and that both parties were already on the mend. Perhaps he was wrong.
"Wade? Lemon?" Zoe looked confused and extremely thrown off, "If you guys need to use the restroom, they are out of towels." Jonah smirked at her comment. He enjoyed the way Zoe spat out the strangest things when she was thrown off kilter. It was cute and rather endearing trait.
Wade sputtered, but smiled as charmingly as he could. Jonah recognized the move. It was a move he used many times before with women he didn't expect to run into after a night (or two or three) of fun. However, Wade appeared to be genuine. He was trying to charm her. A weird flutter stirred in Jonah's abdomen. He brushed it off and refocused on the scene in front of him.
"Can we go outside and talk?" Wade half stuttered. Zoe simply nodded and followed Wade out the door.
Jonah motioned to a nearby table and Lemon nodded heavily, as if the act of sitting was a chore. Jonah flagged down the waitress and ordered two slices of the pie on special. The waitress was a pudgy woman in her 50s who barely looked at the two of them as she took their order and disappeared. Jonah couldn't help but watch Zoe and Wade as they walked down the dusty path that wound around the diner and into a nearby horse pasture. Lemon either didn't care or didn't notice that Jonah had barely spoken since the other two left. After what felt like an eternity, Jonah couldn't hold it in any longer.
"What's going on with those two?" Jonah asked trying to sound nonchalant.
"Oh, I don't know. Wade is going to declare his love or something." Lemon was still annoyed with Wade, that much was evident. Jonah wondered how much he could push this. Never being one to back down easily he decided to push forward.
"Interesting. How do you think that is going to go?" he speculated.
"Oh no! Not you too!" Lemon's eyes widened and she stuck her fork at him accusatorily, "Jonah Breeland you better promise me you are not in love with Zoe Hart!" Her blue eyes were on fire, and she was adamant in her command.
"Of course not. I don't do love," Jonah brushed off her comment. There was no way he was in love with Zoe Hart, right? No, impossible. He was Jonah Breeland-ultimate lady aficionado. Still…just in case, he ventured further, "But I can't say the tiny doctor doesn't intrigue me. "
Lemon flopped back into her booth giving up on the men she was currently surrounded by, while Jonah simply scoffed. He wasn't 100% sure what had prompted him to be so honest with his cousin, but he was glad he had. Even if she was annoyed with him now, Lemon would always be on his side. And, given the fact that every single guy in his age range was interested in Dr. Hart, he could use all the allies he could get.
