Follows on from tonight's episode-
"What are you doing tonight?" Dylan asked entering the staff room as Zoe picked up her handbag.
"Oh you know, a hot date with a ready meal, a bottle of red and if I'm really pushing the boat out I might have a bath. You?"
"No plans." He shrugged. "I just thought you might fancy some company tonight." He had caught her eyes following Max through the window and raised his eyebrow.
"I'm not jealous."
"Lady doth protest too much."
She smiled, "what do you have in mind?" she asked as they both headed for the door.
"Zoe!" Max called, catching up with them. He glanced awkwardly at Dylan who nodded by way of hello. "I'm glad I caught you, I wanted to say thanks for today." His hand reached round the back of his head as it so often did when he was nervous. "And I'm sorry, I shouldn't have put you in that position."
They exchanged awkward smiles almost oblivious to Dylan who was patiently waiting for the conversation to reach its natural end. "Do you fancy a drink tonight?" Max asked his estranged wife.
"I'm sorry, I just made a plan with Dylan, another night?"
"Oh don't be silly" Dylan interjected. "You two go and have fun." He smiled at his best friend but they also shared a look - she knew his expression was saying don't get your hopes up and he knew her's was saying I'm a big girl and know what I'm doing.
"Where are we heading then?" Zoe asked as Max offered her his arm.
"Town? I don't fancy that lot asking me for all the gory details…" As soon as he said it he regretted it but thankfully Zoe just laughed and to town they headed.
"Max, I don't want to get drunk!" Zoe shook her head as he appeared at the table with two more shots to go along with their next round of drinks. Her head was already feeling fuzzy and she was concerned that the room would soon start spinning.
"You look gorgeous today by the way." He smiled at her, her beautiful almond shaped eyes sparkled and she glowed in the warm room.
She laughed at the comment, not her infectious laugh that he'd come to know but a cynical, almost mocking laugh,"I don't think I've ever felt so old. That girl you were with must've been 20 years younger than me."
"I don't know what I was thinking" was all he had as way of a response and he knew it was feeble. They both knew what he had been thinking. "Ok, that's a lie but I genuinely didn't mean for you to have to know about it or see her. I promise you that."
"You don't owe me anything. If we're going to be friends I need to get used it. You're a very good looking and charming man, as much as I never liked to encourage your head to get any bigger, you can have anyone you want."
He leant towards her and reached out to touch her hand that was resting on the table. She breathed in sharply and pulled her hand away. "Don't Max" she cautioned as she sat back from him.
"Don't you get what I'm trying to tell you Zoe? I want you."