CHAPTER 1
It had only been a few days since Yvonne and Nick decided to end their relationship. Zoe and Nick had decided to meet in their usual wine bar. Nick hated discussing his personal life, but Zoe was different. They had a connection. She understood him.
"She turned out to be the same as all the women in my life", he went on, feeling sorry for himself.
"Which is what exactly?" enquired Zoe.
"A disappointment", said Nick bluntly. He was clearly hurt by what happened with Yvonne.
"Including me?" joked Zoe immediately regretting her words.
Nick smiled slightly. "Especially you", he said cheekily. An awkward silence consumed the room as Nick and Zoe stopped laughing and simply stared at one another. Jokes aside, they both had so many regrets about what was, and more importantly, what could have been. The silence was broken as Nick whispered, "Maybe you were the biggest disappointment of all". They continued looking at each other, neither of them daring to break eye contact. "It wasn't over for me" added Nick.
"It isn't over for me", Zoe replied with a hint of desperation.
At this point their faces were only inches apart. Zoe knew that opportunities like this didn't present themselves often. She decided she would seize the moment, at which point she slowly moved in for a kiss. To her delight and surprise Nick reciprocated. This kiss was somewhat different to ones they had shared previously. It was not lustful, it was tender and soft. Nick's lips lightly pressed onto Zoe's. He massaged her tongue with his, but before Zoe could do the same she felt the distance between them grow.
Nick gently pulled away from their kiss. As pleasurable as Zoe was, he didn't want this to become another night of meaningless sex.
"I'm sorry", apologised Zoe. She was mortified, so decided to make a quick escape. She stood up, grabbed her things a headed to the exit.
"Zoe!", called Nick. He hadn't meant to push her away. If only she would've let him explain. It wasn't that he didn't want her, it was quite the opposite. He knew he could not let her slip away, not again so he ran after her. "Zoe, wait!", he shouted down the street. He managed to catch up with her and pulled her into a side street so they could at least have some privacy.
"What, Nick? What?" replied Zoe, shouting to mask her embarrassment over what had just happened.
"Calm down. Just let me explain", he pleaded.
"Nick, there's nothing to explain. We clearly just want different things. It's fine. I'm fine", she said trying to mask the fact that she clearly wasn't.
Nick contemplated explaining how he felt, but decided that actions spoke louder than words and besides he wasn't one for sharing his feelings. In one brisk motion he swept Zoe in for a kiss. This kiss was fiery and passionate, like their kisses used to be. "I'm sorry", Nick mumbled through their kiss, desperate not to break up their passionate exchange again. Zoe moved her attention to his neck. She gently nibbled at his flesh and teased him with her tongue. She knew Nick loved this, she always did know how to please him.
While Zoe worked on his neck, Nick took the opportunity to speak. "I'm sorry", he repeated. "I didn't mean to push you away back there, I was just nervous. We don't really want history to repeat itself do we?"
Zoe moved up from Nick's neck and saw the look of absolute pleasure in his face and as much as she wanted to continue making him feel good, she knew they had to talk. "I really did hurt you last time, didn't I?" she said guiltily.
Nick was a gentleman; he didn't want to make Zoe uncomfortable by saying yes. As well as that, he didn't want to showcase his vulnerable side. However, the look on his face spoke volumes. She knew she had hurt him badly and this guilt consumed her. She wept. Zoe, like Nick hated showing her vulnerable side, but it seemed she couldn't control the steady stream of tears that rolled down her cheeks.
Nick pulled her in for a hug. He held her head to his chest, almost cradling her. "Come on, I'll walk you home" he said.
They made their way down the street in near silence. An occasional sob from Zoe was the only sound. He hated seeing her upset, but he still enjoyed her company. It was nice; it was how it used to be.
Eventually they arrived at Zoe's apartment. As expected Nick walked her right up to her door. Looking at each other, they shared yet another awkward moment. Usually everything flowed so easily between them, but tonight was different. Neither of them really knew where it was going and Zoe's emotional state didn't improve matters.
"Would you like to come in for…"
Nick kissed Zoe on the cheek, interrupting her and whispered, "Good night Dr Hanna".
"Good night Mr Jordan", replied Zoe. Zoe stepped through her door alone. Her tears of guilt became tears of sadness. She never realized that her actions in the past had the power to ruin her future.