Disclaimer: Song lyrics are owned by Little Big Town. Characters are owned by…. The CW? Either way, I own nothing!

A/N: Alright lovelies… this is it! The final chapter! The grand reveal! Who will her mystery date be? Read now and find out! Thanks for coming along for the ride. I've so appreciated your feedback! As always- please leave some love. Reviews are worth their weight in gold!


Ch. 7

Dr. Zoe Hart leaned against the railing of the gazebo that sat in the center of town. She was in her full ball gown and a jeweled mask that had been a gift from the man she was waiting to meet. For a moment, all was quiet as she peered up at the dazzling stars overhead. Such beauty was lost in the brightness of New York City. Zoe took a deep breath, shaking off her nerves as she pondered all of the strange things that had led her to this moment.

She hadn't heard the footsteps approach from behind, but she felt his presence all of a sudden very acutely.

"Dr. Zoe Hart," he whispered huskily. His breath tickled Zoe's ear, causing her to shiver despite the warmth of the evening.

She paused, not sure how to respond. The whisper had disguised his voice enough that she couldn't tell if she recognized it or not. Finally, after a long moment she answered. "Why all the… mystery?" she asked, feeling her teeth chatter more with excitement and nervous energy than from cold. He chuckled then, a quiet, melodic sound that made every nerve in her body tingle. She tried to turn to face him, but he stopped her, gently resting his hands on the back of her arms. "Won't you tell me who you are?" she asked. Curiosity and excitement… maybe a hint of danger outweighed any panic she was feeling about her secret rendezvous. He leaned in close again.

"Soon," he whispered in her ear. "Close your eyes…"

Zoe did as he asked and closed her eyes. She felt the brief heat as his lips touched the back of her neck and then he tensed.

"Zoe!" Rose's voice called from across the square.

Zoe's eyes snapped open, seeing Rose crossing the lawn with Frederick Dean in tow. Footsteps on the gazebo floor retreated and Zoe spun around to see nothing but a silhouette disappearing around the corner where Anslie Hall was.

"Wait!" Zoe called, but it was too late. He was gone.

Zoe sighed and turned back to Rose, who was coming up the steps, an excited smile on her face. "Was that him, Zoe? Was that your secret date?"

Zoe shrugged. "I couldn't even tell you. I didn't see him."

Rose frowned. "Well, he was tallish with… umm… a mask on?" She sighed, disappointed. "Sorry, I didn't really get a good look."

Zoe smiled. "It's alright. My timing in this town has never been right. Can't expect it to start magically working out now."

"But it will work out," Rose protested. She interlaced her fingers with Frederick's and smiled looking from him to Zoe. "I know it will, Zoe."

The doctor nodded reassuringly. "You two go have some fun, okay?"

"Aren't you coming?" Rose asked, worriedly. "There's still time for him to tell you who he is. He did go inside after all."

Zoe considered the idea for a moment. "I just need a minute." She sighed. "Besides, can't let this beautiful dress go to waste."

Rose hugged Zoe giddily. "You have to tell me who it is!" she said, whispering into the doctor's ear.

"You got it," Zoe replied. She watched as Rose and Frederick walked hand in hand into Anslie Hall.

Zoe considered the alternative. Considered taking off her mask and heading home. She wondered briefly if her mystery date would care that she wasn't there. Wondered if he would come looking for her at home, seek her out and reveal himself. But that's when Wade's words ran through her head again- the incessant mocking of her serious life and the fact that she wasn't as carefree as he was. She didn't even know if he would be there, but she decided that she would prove him wrong. She would show him that not only could she have a good time, but she could do it without ruining the off-the-wall traditions of the town.

Besides, she had promised Lavon she would be there. Although from the look of things the night before with Lemon, he would probably be fine without her. Zoe did have to admit that Lavon had been right about him doing a lot for her. She could only imagine how much of it was against his will, or at least his nature. She had, however, been very appreciative of the friend he had been to her, and Zoe hadn't exaggerated that he was her best friend in Bluebell. Heck, maybe even her best friend period. And that was something she couldn't risk losing.

"Big Z!" Lavon called, spotting her at the gazebo.

Speak of the devil, Zoe thought. She crossed the distance to meet him. "Hey," she said with a smile.

"Did he show?" Lavon asked, intrigued. "Who was it?"

Zoe frowned. "He did show. But apparently he's easily spooked by fifteen year olds, because he high-tailed it that way as soon as Rose showed up," she answered, hooking her thumb behind her to indicate where the mystery man had gone.

"And you didn't see him?"

"Not exactly," Zoe said with a shiver at the memory. "Anyway, I bet you're excited, right?" She asked, changing the subject.

He nodded. "And I'm glad you're here," Lavon said. He extended his arm to Zoe and she looped hers through his. "Now let's go find your secret admirer," he grinned.


An hour into the dance and still no one had revealed themselves to Zoe. She had circled the entire place at least twice, but no one had spoken up. Now, she floated across the dance floor with Lavon, forcing herself not to give up on the mystery man for the time being. She glanced around once more and was surprised to see Wade, George and Judson standing near each other.

"Well that's awkward," she said quietly.

"What is?" Lavon questioned.

"It's like 'Zoe Hart this is your southern love life' in here," she replied, gesturing to the men. "All we need is Wade's brother and you've got all my many botched, dysfunctional attempts at romance since I've been here."

Lavon laughed. "You get around girl," he said with a grin. "Four men in one year… that's kind of unheard of here in Bluebell."

"Don't go spreading word that I'm a hussy or anything now," Zoe sighed. "Jesse was a half date; Judson was a 4 date fizzle. Wade was…." she paused, catching his eye as the butterflies in her stomach danced again. "A mistake," she averted her eyes and sighed. "And George and I have only been out twice. And only kissed a few times." She rolled her eyes. "Seriously- I'm the poster child for romantic dysfunction."

Lavon shook his head. "You just need to be willing to let the walls down, Zo," he said, before twirling her.

Zoe hadn't noticed Wade approach, and she was surprised to find him standing so close after her spin. "Hey Lavon, doc…" He paused. "I have someone here waitin' for the Mayor," he flashed his signature smirk. "Said she won't come in unless you're by her side."

Lavon nodded and dropped Zoe's hand. "Sorry Z," he said with a shrug. "And don't forget what I said about the walls." Lavon said to Zoe, and then he was gone.

Zoe tensed as Wade moved in close, invading her personal space and wrapping an arm around her, resting a hand on the small of her back. "We don't have to dance," she offered, avoiding his eyes.

Wade's hold on her didn't budge when she attempted to step back. He held her carefully, but close enough to tell her that he wasn't going to let her go. "Nice dress," he replied, taking a moment to rake his eyes over what he could see of her body considering their closeness.

"Th-thanks," Zoe answered quietly. She cleared her throat. "I…uh… didn't think you'd be here."

Wade shrugged. "Town event," he said dismissively. Zoe tried to focus on the room, which was spinning quickly by. She tried to keep her mind in the present and not on that night in her room. She tried to force herself not to recall the way his hands felt exploring every inch of her. "You okay, Doc?" Wade asked, giving her a curious look.

Zoe cleared her throat again. "Perfect," she answered. She hated feeling so conflicted about George and Wade. Hated feeling something for both of them. Why couldn't it just be easy? Date someone, see where it goes? Why did she have to feel so caught up with both of them? George caught her eye now from across the room. Sweet, secure, amazing George, who as Wade had mentioned so many times was the 'golden boy' of the town. He had everything Zoe always thought she wanted. But she couldn't deny that she felt something for Wade as well. Her relationship with Wade was about as dysfunctional as they come, but still there was something about the way he tested her, about the way he pushed her. He was everything she wasn't. And that meant Wade had something to offer her that George never could.

"Hey doc," Wade said, waving a hand in front of her face and snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Huh?" she asked, focusing her eyes on his.

"I said the song's over." They had stopped dancing and he removed his hand from her back.

"Oh," she replied sheepishly. "Sorry." She took a step back and released his hand. Zoe met Wade's eyes and bit her bottom lip.

"No sweat, Zoe," he replied, coolly. She looked at him curiously then, surprised at him using her name. Usually it was 'Doc' or 'Dr. Hart'. Very rarely did he call her by her first name. He gave her a quick smile and turned on his heel and walked away.

Zoe released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

The whole town was shocked at the sight of Lavon Hayes with Lemon Breeland, holding hands as they entered the dance hall. After Zoe's dance- half with Lavon and half with Wade, she found her way off the dance floor, opting instead for the title of wall flower as she waited for her mystery date to make his move… again. She wasn't sure why he had run off earlier at the gazebo, but now Zoe found herself scanning the crowd waiting to catch an eye. So far she had been mistaken for someone named Ella twice (by the same guy) but her mystery man had yet to identify himself. Thankfully, most masks weren't concealing enough that she couldn't still figure out who everyone was. She had bumped into Addie and her husband and if Zoe was as keen as she suspected, she was pretty sure Annabeth was headed her way.

"Zoe?" the other girl questioned after approaching. "It's me, Annabeth," she lifted her mask to prove it.

"I know it's you, Annabeth," Zoe replied with a smile. "I was with you when you picked out that dress, remember?"

Annabeth looked down and blushed before securing her mask again. "Oh right," she paused. "Did you see Lemon and the Mayor?" Annabeth asked in a hushed tone.

Zoe nodded. "I think they look good together." She may have started as Lavon's back up date, but Zoe wasn't going to be part of trash-talking his relationship with Lemon. Even if she would never understand it.

Annabeth sighed. "I do too, I guess," she drawled. "I just thought it would be me goin' after the Mayor. He's so dreamy."

"Guess you missed your chance," Zoe said sympathetically. There were very few people who knew about Lemon's indiscretions, and even fewer still that knew that her relationship with Lavon went back further than a few weeks.

"So, where's your mystery guy? Get sick of him already?" Annabeth asked, looking around.

Zoe shook her head. "The opposite, I think." She frowned. "I was supposed to meet him at the gazebo at dark. When he showed up, Rose was on her way over with Frederick Dean and the mystery guy ran away before I could see who he was."

Annabeth made a face. "Anyone scared away that easily by teenagers is someone you shouldn't be gettin' involved with if you ever want kids, Zo."

"Kids?" Zoe sputtered, almost spitting out the sip of champagne she'd just taken. It burned her nose and throat as it went down. "Who said anything about kids?" she asked, coughing. "I'd be content seeing the guy's face at this point."

Annabeth raised her brows in excitement. "Looks like you might get your wish," she gestured to the other side of the room where George seemed to be making his way very pointedly in their direction.

"This next song is a special request for…" the DJ paused and the microphone crackled for a moment. His voice was confused when he spoke again. "Well, why don't you tell me?" The introduction started playing through the loud speakers as George stopped in front of Zoe. "Ladies, if this is your song, you'll know," The DJ finished up right before the soft country crooner began to sing.

"May I have this dance?" George asked, reaching for Zoe's hand.

She smiled and nodded, taking his hand and letting him lead her to the dance floor. Zoe wrapped her hands around George's neck as they began swaying to the music.

"So, are you glad you came to at least one Bluebell tradition?" George asked, his voice soothing in her ear. She wanted to put her head on his shoulder, but considering the freshness of everything with Lemon and Lavon, she wasn't sure it was the best idea. She sighed instead of answering. Why did she and George always seem to second guess everything?

"I'd be happier if my mystery date would just tell me who he is already," she replied quietly.

George pulled back a few inches to see her face. She wondered if it was to gauge her seriousness, but she was in fact serious. "Mystery date?" He asked, looking more confused than when she'd told him she was staying in Bluebell on the day he was supposed to marry Lemon.

Well, so much for that theory. "It wasn't you?" she asked, her brow furrowed.

George shook his head. They continued to sway in silence for a moment, spinning in small circles around the dance floor. Zoe caught a flash of someone disappearing through the door into the night and it reminded her of how her mystery date had disappeared earlier around the corner when she'd been in the gazebo.

Her love's like rain on a tin roof

The words filtered over the loud speakers and Zoe froze. The melody. She had replayed it over and over in her head so many times the last few days that she would recognize it anywhere. It was the song. From the night of the storm with Wade.

Sweet song of a summertime storm
And the way that it moves you
Like a melody of passion raging on
And then it's gone.

Zoe searched George's eyes and knew once and for all what she needed to do. She kissed him quickly on the cheek and whispered "Sorry," before dashing off.

She had to find Wade. And she had to do it now. The lyrics played over and over in her mind now. And bit by bit, everything seemed to fall into place. The way Wade had acted that night so many weeks ago. It was because of her; because of how he thought she would react. The way he had tensed in bed after humming the song. The memories flooded her mind again and it was like one punch to her gut after another. And then it's gone. The next morning at the Rammer Jammer where he'd told her it had just been one night and nothing more. He wasn't afraid of himself leaving; he was afraid of Zoe leaving, of moving on, leaving him. And so, he did what any man trained in womanizing would do. He cut his losses and dumped her before she could dump him. And then it's gone. The words were seared in her brain. It couldn't be gone yet. She couldn't let it.

Zoe scanned the crowd but found no sign of Wade. The song dedication. The mystery date. It had all been Wade. She had just been too blind to see it.

Finally, her eyes landed on Lavon and she quickly rushed to his side, barely registering the look of sheer confusion on Lemon Breeland's face.

"Lavon, where's Wade?" Zoe asked frantically.

"He left."

"Left?"

Lavon nodded. "Saw you dancin' with George an' figured he'd lost his shot after all." Lavon paused, as if he wasn't sure he wanted to say what was on the tip of his tongue. "It was him, you know."

Zoe sighed; she couldn't believe she had unintentionally hurt Wade like that. "I know," she said with a frown. She picked up her skirt and ran for the door. She paused only briefly to see George still standing in the middle of the dance floor, staring after her and then she disappeared into the darkness.

She made her way into the street and stared in the direction of the plantation. Sure enough, she could see his silhouette several hundred feet in front of her. She ran straight for him, yelling his name as she drew closer.

"WADE!" she called, feeling her breath huff with the exertion of running in the dress and heels.

He stopped and turned, but she couldn't make out any of his features in the darkness. Zoe slowed when she nearly reached him and stopped just a few feet from where he stood, mask now removed, tie loosened and hair tousled like he'd been frustrated and running his hands through it.

"What are you doin' out here?" he asked harshly.

"The song," she replied. "From the night of the storm."

"What in the heck are you talkin' about?" Wade's brow furrowed. "You said you didn't know it," he replied dismissively.

Zoe smiled and nodded. "But I knew it meant something."

"Don't know what you're talkin' about, doc."

Zoe scoffed. "I know it was you. The mask. The note. The gazebo. I can't believe you were going to just leave and not say anything."

Wade frowned. Even in the darkness his eyes sparked with mischief. But there was a hint of sadness in them now. "You looked happy enough. I know my odds compared with George."

"That's it, isn't it?" She asked. "This whole time it's been because of George."

"Well, not entirely," he replied. Zoe was glad for the moment of honesty, no matter how small. "You said it yourself, Zoe. Girls like you don't end up with guys like me."

"How would you know?" she argued. "You never even tried."

"Try?" Wade scoffed. "How many times did I have to ask you out or tell you that I like you? I went searchin' for snakes for you, made gumbo for you," he was yelling now. "I tracked down ghosts and goats and… and…" He paused. "And then, right when I had you, I gave you up so you could follow your heart. What the hell more do you need me to do! How many more ways should I have tried?"

Zoe stared at him blankly. Wade shook his head. "Forget it," he said and turned.

She stood dumbfounded, watching him walk away. All of that- it had all been for her? To show her how he felt? There was a voice screaming inside her head that she should have always known. That she did always know. Somehow- despite George and Judson and Jesse- she knew all along that it was Wade. She should have suspected that the mask had been him. After all, Lavon had told her about the gumbo. It only made sense that Wade would do something sweet behind her back and follow it up with something bone headed.

He had gotten several feet away before she snapped out of it. "Wade!" she called again. This time he stopped and tensed but didn't turn around.

"You're wrong," she said plainly.

He let out a snide laugh and turned halfway back. "What else is new, doc?"

Zoe quirked a brow and gave him half of a smile. "You don't even want to know why?"

Wade sighed. "Sure," he replied and rolled his eyes. "Please. Tell me why I'm wrong this time."

"I wasn't following my heart before," the words were quiet, barely above a whisper. For a moment she wasn't sure he'd actually heard her. And then she blinked and he was there. He didn't even hesitate. He crashed his lips to hers in a feverish desire. Her hands locked around him automatically, fingers exploring the hair at the nape of his neck as she pulled him close to her. And it was like the last six weeks never happened. All of the arguing and avoiding was a memory in the blink of an eye. Wade pressed himself closer and she felt like she needed every inch of him against her. Her heart raced and her mind quit working. She couldn't remember anything but his hands and his smile and his kiss. Of the heat of his skin against hers, the rush of emotion when he pulled her close, the butterflies that danced in her stomach every time he connected his lips to hers.

They broke away briefly, both panting for breath and he looked her in the eye and said, "For once, I'm ok with being wrong." He grinned before she pressed her lips to his once more.


A/N: So... shout out to all my Zade fans. I'm with ya lovelies! I'm toying with the idea of a sequel... So if you'd be up for it... let me know! Thanks again for reading and sticking it out (even through the Zoe/George parts...) You're the best!

P.S. The song was Rain On A Tin Roof by Little Big Town... I just LOVE this song. And when I heard it for the first time, the bedroom scene that I wrote as a flashback was the first thing that came to my mind.