She breezes about the ED going about her usual business, completely unaware that I'm watching her. We've barely had a conversation since she returned despite the nature of our relationship before she left. I've done all but actually talk to her about how I feel, and I can't do that, I'm not sure how I'd cope with a rejection from Zoe Hanna again after having been so close to her.
I watch her interact with Dylan, there's no love in the way she acts and yet I can't help but wonder if she kisses him like she kissed me or if she's as fun and different from her professional self when she's with him. I don't know what the deal with the pair of them is but I intend to find out.
Following Zoe home isn't hard, she's too engrossed in whatever she's doing on her phone to notice. I sometimes wonder if she's kept the pictures of us and if she can't help but looking back at them like I do. It's hardly surprising that she hasn't noticed me as she steps onto the boat, where through the window I can see Dylan handing her a glass. He makes no other contact with her though, if she was mine and she let me that close then I'd never be able to put her down and if the past is anything to go by then it'd be the same for her. She seems to be playing it safe with Dylan and the Zoe I know doesn't do safe, she thrives on risk.
They sit down to dinner and... Oh god, my guard slipped. Seeing her so relaxed, slightly like the Zoe who used to be mine, made me less careful and she's spotted me. Suddenly she's off the boat and standing next to me.
"Max?! What the hell are you doing?" Zoe shouts at me.
"Just taking a walk, it's a pretty area you know." I try and tell her, knowing that she's not buying it, she knows me too well. "Fine, I wanted to make sure that you were happy with him." I sigh and watch as conflict seems to pass across her features, part of her seems to be furious but the other part seems to be surprised that I still care so much.
"I'm not with him Max, I am however happy. That's what all of this is about isn't it? The hair and the cheekier persona? You're trying to catch my attention."
"Yeah." I reply casually as if it doesn't matter.
"You can't just follow me, it's stalking Max. What we had was fun but it wasn't sustainable." There she goes again, trying to justify it to herself.
"It could be though, I love you Zoe."
"I don't feel the same though Max." She sighs again, and there's the admission that I'd subconsciously been preparing for. "I don't love you and I'm sorry but you can't make me feel it." She speaks softly as if it'll soften the blow, that's it. It's all over now, there's nothing more I can do but walk away.
I'm sorry, I didn't overly want to write this but the idea wouldn't leave me alone so here we are, I completely ship Zax if that wasn't obvious by now. If people want it then I could post an alternate ending which is more happy as a second chapter?