"Dammit Zoe!" I heard Wade yell from across the pond. What was his problem now? I woke up and had to plug in my curling iron. While I was waiting for it to heat up I decided that I wanted a quick cup of coffee from my new Keurig. I didn't think he'd be up this early… it was only eight. So what did it matter? I know from his head lights that he got home from work last night on the later side of two am. That was why he couldn't sleep over last night, right?

Normally it would bother me that he didn't slide in bed next to me, even when it was that late. Wade had just been in a…mood… recently and I was trying to give him space. Our "relationship" had gotten off to a rocky start. I knew there was always a spark between us but at the same time we couldn't go five minutes without arguing with each other. I knew this before I decided to start sleeping with him but if you had ever seen him with his shirt off too then I think you would understand. Not only was he stupid hot with his shirt off, but he was honestly the best sex I've ever had. Not that I would EVER tell him that. I would never hear the end of it.

I stuck my head out the window and yell over at Wade "Sorry! Why are you up anyway?" It was just conversation until I heard him mumble "Don't worry about it" and walk out his front door. I assumed he was going over to Lavon's to have breakfast so I thought I would follow him over there. After all, it would be out of routine not to.

"Mornin' Yall" Lavon practically whistled at us. How in the world was he so happy in the morning? Anyway, it didn't last when Wade just walked by him towards the refrigerator and I gave him a quick wave as I passed by following Wade. When Wade got like this I never knew how to react or what to do. It's not like I'm not used to it, last year he was mad at me more than not. We've come so far from that day in the woods with his brother Jesse and I overheard that still hurts my stomach to think about.

"What is wrong? What did I do?" I was almost whining. Even I didn't realize I cared this much. Wade was just a distraction, right? What was his problem? I thought we were on the same page. I mean thinking about to the night of George's wedding I do remember all of this being his idea. He interrupted my thoughts with something that shocked me "Why do you care?" Why wouldn't I care? We're friends. Monogamous friends. That's right, it's a thing. "I care because… because I do. Why do you all of the sudden think that I don't care?" I was almost yelling. "Because you seemed to care a little too much when I told you Golden Boy didn't care about us" Okay, now he was yelling. I looked over at Lavon, he was staring awkwardly and looked more than a bit confused. Not slow to catch on though he threw his hands up and walked out of the room yelling "It's my kitchen, yall have your own houses you could be havin this little lovers squat in".

"Zoe, there's really nothin to talk about" Wade moaned. He looked sad. Like I stole his puppy. Or in his case his Fender.

"Please don't be mad at me. I'm sorry for what I said or did to hurt you, I really am". I was begging, definitely begging. Wait, when do I beg Wade for anything? When did I become that person? I think Wade could tell what I was thinking just from looking at my face because what he said next shocked me.

"Zoe, go out with me. On an actual date. Let me take you out. Please" Wow. What a morning. Where is all of this coming from? He leaned up against the counter with his arms folded across his chest. He was staring at me with intent and determination. I didn't know he felt that way about me. I thought it was one sided. I didn't intend to have actual feelings for him but something about Wade grows on you. He's an acquired taste.

"Zoe?" he questioned. I zoned out again. I keep getting stuck in my own head, it's getting worse than usual.

"Why though? Since when do you want to date me" I was getting defensive. I had convinced myself he didn't want to date; after all he started out by telling me as much when he made it clear I was just a B minus in bed.

"Why wouldn't I? I've wanted to date you since the day you came marchin' into my house confronting me for blowing the circuit that first night you were here" he rebutted. "Lavon knew it, George knew it, for God sakes Zoe even Crazy Earl knew it. And then he told you he knew it". Wade was yelling. "I couldn't have made it any more clear, but you refused to see it because you only have eyes for Tucker".

"That is not true!" My voice was shaking. "I did, but I don't anymore! I can't be his rebound" I huffed.

"His rebound?" Wade snapped back. "That's the only reason you're not chasing after him? I get it now. I'm just a placeholder in your life. I always was"

I was beginning to see why he was upset. I couldn't handle seeing him converse with the blonde tile lady on his porch, how should he feel watching me get over one of his best friends? I had to fix it. After all, he was feeling this way because of me.

I reached down for his hands that had settled on the counter behind him. I never noticed how small my hands were when they were resting in his but I guess this is the first time outside of bed that we'd ever held hands. He was staring at our hands that were strung together and then eventually he looked up at me. At one time the silence could have been overwhelming but in this instance it was fitting.

"I'm sorry. From the bottom of my heart. I want you to give me a chance. I want to go on that date with you. It's only been four nights since you were last over but it feels like eternity" my voice was quiet, I was whispering and almost pleading to him.

His hands left mine but started sneaking around so he was holding on to me, resting his hands in the small of my back. We stood in silence but it felt comforting. Minutes later he asked "So when is our big date girl?" in that southern twang I had learned to love.

"Tonight? I don't care what we do. We can even go to the Rammer Jammer if you want, I just want to go out with you" I said as I looked up at him smiling. He leaned down and kissed me lightly on my forehead. Before I knew it his kiss had lingered down the side of my face and onto my jaw line and eventually into the crook of my neck. He was still holding on to me and now it was getting harder to breathe. This was all new to me…to us. We hadn't just been together, without sleeping together.

It was new, but I was inviting this feeling. I had no idea that Wade of all people was capable of showing this kind of affection. Come to think of it, Wade deserves more credit. Not just from me, but from everyone in Bluebell. I'm going to make sure that starts to happen.

Leaning more into his kisses I snuck my hands up his sides until they were resting around the back of his neck. He was so warm but I could feel the hardness of his chest. I went from affectionate to hot in about three seconds. I surprised myself with the light moan I let out but was even more surprised when I heard Lavon's cough behind me. Wade didn't even look up. When I turned around his hands kept me didn't leave my waste but if anything pulled me in tighter.

"Lavon Hayes sees that you two made up" he mumbled. "But no more making up in my house. Out!"