Chapter 4

- Wade.

An awkward silence settled down between them. They just couldn't stop looking at each other : eight months. Zoe knew she had to speak first :

- I'm sorry.

- About what ?

When she heard his voice after eight months, she felt she could fall. It was hard for her but she missed him. She really missed him, more than she wanted.

- About everything but especially about your dad.

He didn't answer.

- Why did you tell me ?

- I tried.

- No, you didn't. You didn't call me. And if you didn't want to do it, you could asked Lavon.

- It wasn't Lavon's place to tell.

- So, why didn't you tell me ? You know the phone works in New York.

- I told you I tried.

- No, you didn't call me.

- No, I didn't.

- Why did you say that you tried, then ?

- Because I went to New York ! He cried.

Zoe was shocked. "He was in New York ? When ? Why did I see him ?"

- What ? She whispered.

- When I found about it. I knew I needed you. I knew you were the only one who could save him. I also knew if I called, you probably wouldn't answer. So I decided to go.

- Why did you think I wouldn't answer ?

- Because you asked me for space and time which I gave to you. But you didn't call me either during five months. So I figured you didn't want me to call you even it was important.

Zoe felt his anger and his pain. She saw his feelings in his eyes. She heard them in his voice.

- Why didn't you see you when you were in New York ?

- You were busy.

- You should wait for me. I was probably with a patient.

- I'm not talking about your work at the hospital.

- What are you talking about, then ?

She was afraid to ask to this question because if the answer was she thought, she knew the conversation wouldn't end well.

- Jonah. I'm talking about Jonah Breeland. He said looking at her.

She closed her eyes. In that moment, she understood everything. Three months ago, he learnt he was losing his father and also the woman he loved.

- Don't tell me it wasn't what I thought. I saw you two, hand to hand. I was waiting for you in the lobby. The nurse told me to wait because it was lunch time and when you came back, you were with him. Then, I realized you would never come back here, even for something medical. He explained.

- Wade, this is not the truth and you know it.

- You made you life there. Can you just leave ? The life will be easier if you're not here. He was mad and sad, she knew it.

- This is what you want ? She started to yell.

- Yes. Come back to New York and stay there. I'm sure Jonah is waiting for you. He yelled back.

- We broke up.

- Really ? Why ? He couldn't stand your craziness or your ability to play with men's hearts.

- You have no right to judge me. You're the one who ruined everything on the first place : when you cheated on me.

- You're right. I hurt you. I know that. I will regret this decision the rest of my life. But I won't apologize to you anymore. I've already done a thousand times.

He walked to her. They were close enough, now. He looked at her in her eyes. She was so beautiful, he wanted to kiss her but he didn't. But he was hurting so much right now and not because of his father.

- So you don't want my help ? She asked sweetly.

- No, I don't.

- You don't want me as your friend ?

- No. For now, we're just neighbours.

And then, he left.

She watched him leave. She lost one of the person who always was there for her. She knew he wasn't the only one mad at her. She left a lot of people, patients and friends eight months ago. Now, she have to find Lavon. She needed her best friend.

She walked inside the main house. Lavon and Annabeth were sitting beside the counter.

- I just had a conversation with Wade.

- How was it ? Annabeth asked.

- Horrible. Why did you tell he went to New York ?

- Why did you tell us about Jonah ? Lavon replied.

- You knew ?

- Of course, we knew. I really think he didn't tell us. The real question is why you didn't tell me. I'm your best friend, right.

- You're mad at me too.

- Zoe, I just don't understand. You didn't tell me that you had a new boyfriend.

- I was lost.

- So, Jonah ? Annabeth asked.

- We broke up.

- Why ?

- Before Christmas, I realized I didn't like that much and my heart wasn't in New York. I knew for him it was serious, so I broke up with him.

- Before Christmas ? That hard.

- AB, the question isn't why she broke up with him but why she was with him in the first place. Zoe, you went to New York to have some space, to think what you want and what you feel. Why were you with Jonah ?

Zoe sighed :

- He showed up at the wedding. He talked a lot that night; I realized he wasn't as annoying than I thought. So, we went out few times as friends. Once, we were with my mum, and she told me it seemed that he liked me and it would be good for me, to move on. So I said yes.

- You dated Jonah because your mother asked you ?

- No ! I thought he was good for me. He was what I liked about George and what I liked what Wade : the best of both worlds.

- And it took you eight months to realized he wasn't what you want ?

- No ! Just three.

Lavon and Annabeth raised their eyebrows.

- Wade showed up at the beginning of our relationship. I told you we were friends before.

- Z, this morning I asked you for one thing, do you remember it ?

- Yeah ! No drama. And I will keep it. I just need to fix things with Wade. I fixed things with George, sort of, I'm working on it. I need to fix things with Wade.

- It won't be simple, honey. Annabeth said sweetly.

- I know. He's really mad at me.

- You can say furious.

- I have to fix this, with no drama. I promised you Lavon, with no drama ! Zoe said walking to the door.

When she left Lavon and AnnaBeth looked at each other knowing it will be drama : with Zoe Hart, there will always be drama.