It had been a week since she came home to Bluebell. Zoe quickly got caught up with all of the town gossip, but that was easy to do since she seemed to be a major player in the most talked about story. Every time she was approached by a townsperson, they immediately asked how her reunion with Wade went. Was it as romantic as they'd hoped? She was honestly surprised that they all had assumed she would come home and they would be together. It never got any easier to tell them that she and Wade were not a couple. Everyone reacted the same way. That is, telling her she was making a mistake, Wade had been patiently waiting for her, he did not dare talk to another girl and that he clearly was a man in love. Zoe poorly articulated why she had made the decision she made, none of them understood. Probably because she didn't understand it herself. When Wade had opened his door and she had seen him face to face for the first time in 3 months she panicked. As much as she wanted to hold him and never leave the comfort of his arms, somewhere she fit perfectly like a piece of a puzzle, she just could not bring herself to do it.

I am so glad to have you home, this place has just not been the same without!

I am to Lavon! I missed you so so much.

Me too big Z, me too.

How are things with Anna Beth?

Great, we've had a wonderful summer, well except for…

Except for what?

Nothin', never mind

Lavon, tell me, except for Wade right?

Zoe, he has just been so miserable without you. When he thought you were sleepin' with Jonah, he just went to such a dark place.

He asked me about that, I was so confused, why on earth would he think I slept with Jonah?

Because of some stupid misunderstanding. But you didn't, did you?

Of course not, we're just good friends.

Lavon had thought there was no way that Zoe and Jonah had hooked up. Even now he believes her when she says they didn't, but there's just something about her facial expression when she says they're good friends that he just can't ignore.

Well when I reminded him that he had promised you that he changed, he proved to me that he had. Zoe, the man has spent the summer proving to me, to everyone that he loves you and will do whatever it takes.

I know Lavon, believe me I know. You and the whole town have made it very clear you're on team Wade.

I'm on team Zoe, I've always been on your side. I just don't want you to not be with Wade because you're too scared or too stubborn.

I am scared Lavon. I am scared that everything will be going good and then suddenly boom, the carpet will be pulled right out from under me again. I never ever thought Wade would cheat on me. I knew his past, but I was so sure we had something different. I just don't think I could survive that kind of pain again. You saw how crazy I was after the last time.

Zoe there are no guarantees in life, you have to take a leap of faith. If Wade is who you want to be with, don't let fear take over.

I'm sorry Lavon, I hear you, but I can't.

Alright Zoe, I won't push, it's your life and I support you no matter what.

I really have missed you.

Me too.

Lavon and Zoe spent the next couple of weeks together eating dinner and watching movies, just like old times. AB joined them most nights and they all caught each other up on what had happened in both Bluebell and New York, with no more mention of Wade. Zoe couldn't help but notice just how amazing they were as a couple. She wanted that so badly. Wade had opened her eyes to what being in a real relationship felt like. She never used to care about these things. Job first, everything else came in second. Now she was left feeling empty.

Walking back to the carriage house after a wonderful evening spent with her good friend, Zoe stopped in her tracks when she could make out someone sitting on her front porch. She did not have the heart or the courage to go round 2 with Wade, but since their fight, she had not seen him. He left for work early and came home extremely late. She had gone out of her way to avoid him as well. Never eating at the Rammer Jammer, which she was actually desperate to see. She decided to approach with caution. It was definitely a male figure. It must be George who has finally returned from his tour. She decided to suck it up and walk towards whoever it was.

Jonah

Hey

Oh my god, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in New York?

I am, but I had to come and see you.

Why?

I know you probably won't like this, but I begged Lemon to tell me if you and Wade had gotten back together.

Oh, well I don't know why you didn't call me? I would've told you that our talk didn't go so well.

Yeah, I heard. That's why I'm here actually. Do you remember what I said to you at the airport?

No actually, I was half listeni…of course I remember.

Well you didn't slap me or push me or puke a little bit, which I took as a sort of positive sign. Now that I know where you stand with Wade, I came here to see if maybe you would ever consider me.

I don't understand. You asked me to stay. You know I don't belong in New York anymore, but you do.

I know, I am not asking you to move back, to leave Bluebell. I am asking if you would ever give me, give us a chance. We would start off slow. Phone calls, emails, a visit or two. We could do long distance casual.

I have never heard of long distance casual.

I know, I just made it up. But, I think that's what's great about the idea of you and me. We make our own rules. I just never have been around anyone that has the effect that you do. I don't want to pressure you, I just want to see if maybe you would, could give it a try.

You didn't have to come all the way to Alabama, there are phones you know.

I guess this is my way of showing you just how serious I am about this and maybe I missed your face a little bit.

I've missed you too.

Is that a yes?

I do like the idea of casual long distance. I don't want you to think that I would be treating you as something I am ashamed of, but I would like to keep this between us if we did try. I mean, I still care very deeply for Wade and the last thing I want to do is hurt him even more than I already have. If this did ever turn into something, then we could make it public?

Zoe, all I want is a chance. How, when, why is all up to you. I never thought I would even get this far, so I'll take what I can get.

Slow?

Slow.

Jonah didn't know what to do next. He did not want her to change her mind. His natural instinct was to grab her in his arms and kiss her. He was just so happy. He knew they could be great together and he was going to do everything in his power to make Zoe see it too. He didn't care if they had to keep it between them for awhile, that suited him just fine. He understood why she didn't want to hurt Wade, he wasn't delusional enough to think that she was over him. He hoped that in time her feelings would diminish for Wade and grow for him. He decided it best to kiss her on the cheek like he did their first night in New York.

So I'll call you.

You're leaving.

Yeah, I have to get back to Atlanta and get the red eye back to New York. I have to be at the hospital early tomorrow morning.

You're insane.

I told you, I wanted to show you how serious I am about this.

I believe you.

Bye Zoe Hart.

And with that he turned and left. Zoe did not quite know what just happened there. Did she really agree to start a long distance relationship with Jonah? She had not really thought about it, just jumped in. What could it hurt to test it out? No one needed to find out unless it did become something. She would cross that bridge if and when they came to it. After watching Lavon and AB all night, she was reminded about how much she missed having someone in her life. If that someone could not be Wade, she had to move on.