Wow you guys are amazing. Thank you so much. It definitely made me write faster!

First guest that reviewed – The "I can't believe Joel thinks George is his competitor" was on purpose ;)

Oh, and just to clarify – Wade wasn't drunk. Zoe wasn't either, but she drank a lot so it definitely had an effect on her.

also, this chapter doesn't have a lot of Zoe and her POV. there will be more later.

Just a reminder – English is not my language. Sorry for my mistakes!

Can't wait for your thoughts / ideas!

Enjoy


Wade was wrong. At least an hour passed and still there was no sign that they were about to be released. He was pretty sure that Zoe was asleep, still with her head on his shoulder. He sat there quietly and simply listened to her breathing. Thoughts of the past few hours have caused his head to spin. He thought it was amazing how everything always rises to the surface again every time they meet, no matter how many mistakes were made, how they were hurt. Was he supposed to ignore what happened tonight? Repress his feelings? He knew when the weekend would be over, each would return to his own life, own place. He'd be in Atlanta and she'd be in New York. He could ignore everything that happened, forget everything and go on with his life as it was the last two years. Maybe there will be another chance encounter somewhere in the future, there will be a familiar tug at heart again and then each of them will go the other way, and they will continue to wonder what might have been. But is that what he really wants? Can he give up the chance of her, no matter how small or irrational it may be?

His thoughts were interrupted when Zoe started to wake up. She opened her eyes and quickly realized where she was. She lifted her head cautiously, "How long I was asleep?" She asked quietly

"Not much" he replied, "I think they will come soon, three hours have passed at least"

She nodded. "I am thirsty"

"Yes, you need to drink. There is water there," he motioned for her to go to the table. Her head pounded and she had to stop just before she tried to stand up. He noticed and got up first, he held out his hands to help her up. She finally succeeded; she steadied herself by placing her hands on his arm and pulled him close. Wade's heart nearly exploded, but he kept his expression unreadable. She smiled as if she knew. She came to the table to pour herself a glass of water. He joined her.

"We should agree on a version of what we tell Joel and Ivy" She started

"Yes, you're right. We can just say we stayed with my dad until you felt that he was fine and we could go" he suggested

"Good idea," she said.

They heard an odd noise at the door. They didn't know what it was; Zoe went to the door and tried to open it

"You were right! The door is unlocked. We can go home finally" she declared

"You think it's okay if we go together?" He hesitated

"Yes, why not? We were together in the same place and we are going to the same place. It's all right, let's go"

They started their way to the Plantation. The walk home was quiet; the tension was felt in the air. They arrived quickly; they stopped just between the carriage house and the gatehouse.

"So ..." she said

"So ..." he replied, his eyes met hers. Their gaze lingered. Her eyes sparkled. He attributed this to the wine and to her being tired, but it felt as if there was something else...

Their connection has always been there, and now, it was floating in the air that they shared.

Her head was reeling. He shouldn't have this effect on her, she thought.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow," he finally said,

"Yes," she smiled weakly.

"I-" He was about to say something but he was interrupted

"Hey, guys," Ivy shouted to them, she was standing next to window of the gatehouse. She was about to go out when Zoe turned around quickly, "I'm tired, I'll see you tomorrow," she managed to say before she quickly went into the carriage house.

"Is she okay?" Ivy asked as soon as he stepped inside

"Ah, yes. She's tired. It was a long day," he replied quickly

"How is your dad?"

"He's feeling better. Um, she thought it would be right to stay until he falls asleep"

"What was it?" She asked

"Uh, I don't know exactly, I don't know all the medical terms. But he's fine now," he dodged the question. He saw the confusion on her face and felt uncomfortable "Look, I'm exhausted. Why don't we go to bed?" He asked gently

"I wanted-" she paused, "You know what, it will wait until morning, let's go to sleep," she smiled at him

"I'll just take a shower"

She nodded and climbed under the covers. He was distant and she thought she knew why.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When he woke up in the morning, the bed was empty. He noticed a note on her pillow

"Hey, I went for a run, I'll see you at breakfast XO" he sighed.

He checked his phone and saw a number of missed calls and messages, all from Lemon. In her latest text she asked him to meet her at Fancies. He decided to go to tell her his opinion of her actions.

He dressed quickly and left, he wanted to make it to breakfast. He didn't want to cause further problems with Ivy.

"Finally. I called you a million times" Lemon scolded him when he entered the restaurant

"If I didn't have to stay up until 2 am because of you, maybe I'd get up earlier," he hissed

"Well, how was it?"

"You shouldn't have done that. You don't get what you what you've done at all "he felt frustrated

"I have no regrets. I had to try something. There is no way I can let you continue with your normal life when there is a chance that in a few more years you'd realize you've made a mistake. I was in this place and Wade, luckily, someone else did the work for me and made me see the truth. The point is that if there is something, you have to deal with it now"

He smiled slightly as he heard her relate in such way to all that happened with George and Lavon.

"It's not the same, Lemon"

"Well, the only difference is that you're not getting married, yet" She raised an eyebrow,

"Tell me, how was it?"

"I don't know," he sighed, he raised his hand and ran it through his hair slowly

"What do you feel?" She asked

"I don't know what I feel. Don't you have another scheme to help me figure it out?" He snapped

"Not really, but I can come up with one to leave you alone with all of this. I was just trying to help" she snapped back

"I'm sorry. I know you meant well, but it's complicated"

"How is it more complicated than it already is?"

"Hmm, let's think together" he muttered sarcastically

"Don't talk to me like that. I know you and I know better than that. Stop with your snarky answers snarky and cynicism and give me a real, honest answer. Do you still love her?"

Wade was quiet, he already knew the answer. Lemon knew also. But to say it out loud to someone was a completely different story than thinking or feeling it. He struggled with the words. He felt a lump in his throat

"Yes," he finally answered "but don't tell anyone. Not even Lavon"

Lemon just nodded and sat down next to him. She put a hand on his shoulder as if trying to console him. They were quiet until he started to talk

"But it doesn't matter. Heck, from all I know she might have never felt the same. I told her that two years ago. And in that time she was with someone else."

"She didn't say anything?"

"She said ... things"

"And?"

"I don't know, maybe she just feels nostalgic and it raised some memories in her. Wine was involved, so you never know. Besides, me and her, it's a risk. A crazy risk. I don't know if I'm ready for anything"

"Ask her. Tell her" Lemon insisted

"Yes, of course. I'll just go to her and ask," Hey Zoe, do you love me? Because I love you desperately and I can't make it go away, "his voice was emotional, he closed his eyes tightly, realization crashed over him

"Oh Wade" She squeezed her hand on his shoulder. Wade wasn't one to talk much, certainly not his about feelings. She knew it was not easy for him.

"I really thought I had gotten over her. Now I have to decide what's next"

"You know how much I like Ivy, but if your heart is not there, you have to end it."

"I know. Ivy is amazing. But it's not fair to her. But you know what? Ending the relationship with Ivy doesn't mean I'm ready for something with Zoe. I thought I was over her. Will I ever get over her? I need to figure this out first. I need time for myself. I have to deal with these feelings but it doesn't mean necessarily that I'll act on them"

"I think it is the right decision," she tried to reassure him

"Thank you, Lemon. You're a good friend" he kissed her on the cheek

"Back at you"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Zoe woke up with a terrible headache. She saw Joel sitting with his laptop on the couch and typing.

"Oh, good morning, Sleeping Beauty. You returned late last night, or shall I say, today" he turned to her

"Good morning, I'm sorry, it was a medical emergency ..." she murmured, holding her head in her hand

"You're okay?" he asked

"My head is killing me and I have nothing here"

"A doctor without painkillers in her house?" He smiled

"Shut up. I'm going to Lavon. Are you coming to breakfast?"

"No, I'll stay here, I have a sudden burst of creativity and I want to finish at least another chapter of my book"

"Whatever you want," she said and began to dress.

Deep inside she was glad he didn't want to come. She had to talk with Lavon privately.

She opened the kitchen door. The smell of breakfast combined with her headache p caused her nausea. Lavon saw her disgusted face and was a little wary

"Huh ... good morning?"

"Give me something fast, my head," she whined. He gave her a pill and a glass of water and she sat on a stool at the counter.

"Feeling better?" He asked after a moment

"Oh, don't play the nice and caring friend. I'm mad at you," she put her glass and stared at him. He knew what was coming soon

"You can be angry, but I don't regret it. I don't know what happened there, and yet, I have no regrets"

"Lavon ..." She buried her face in her hands

"So ... what happened?"

"Nothing. Everything is complicated. We have always been complicated"

He felt she was trying to avoid talking about it but he wouldn't let her

"I know he broke your heart, but I need you to answer"

She wanted to run away as soon as she heard him speak, but something kept her there.

"All I need to know is how you feel about him," Here he said that. And she couldn't evade.

After a few minutes, where she sat quietly, she looked up at him

"I don't know"

"Big Z"

"Do not be hard on me. I don't know what I feel. I-"

She couldn't finish her sentence because Joel walked in the door

"Hey, it turns out that I'm hungrier than I thought," he smiled sheepishly

"Well then, there's enough food for you. Just choose" Lavon said, looking over at Zoe, his eyes telling her they will continue later. Zoe in turn was relieved she didn't have to talk about it.

The three of them ate breakfast, Zoe tried her best to join in the conversation, but her thoughts wandered somewhere else ... to someone else...

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Wade went back to the gatehouse, Ivy stood with her back to him, and he saw her packing their stuff.

"You're in a hurry to leave?" He said half-jokingly. She was startled and turned to him

"Hey, no, just trying to get everything ready," she smiled at him

"I thought about staying here for another a day or two," he said cautiously

"Oh"

"What?"

"I wanted to tell you yesterday, but didn't really succeed. Apparently one of the reporters in my newspaper resigned and my editor divided all his tasks between us and I got the two most important tasks, and I'm pretty excited about it. But it means I have to go back today to Atlanta. I have to be at work early tomorrow," she stopped for a moment to see his reaction and continued, "I figured it will be okay with you because we came mostly for the party and you never were really excited about staying here longer," she noted

He knew he had to stay in town. He would have time to think, figure things out. He needed the silence that only Bluebell could provide him.

He continued to be quiet, she watched him.

"I don't want to lose you, but I am, aren't I?" She said, her voice restrained

"What?" She caught him off guard with this statement

"It's funny. On my way back I ran into Dash. We had a fascinating conversation which after I realized a few things. Things that I knew deep down but I tried to repress" She stared at him, "What happened between you and Zoe?" She asked, and he knew that this time there is no escaping it. This was the moment to put everything on the table.

He told her the main things, omitted some information that he thought there was no need to talk about. The majority of it she heard from Dash. How their relationship began, the time before they made their relationship official, what happened from there to the cheating. After that he stopped. He did not tell beyond

"And that's the story," he concluded. It was hard to get it out, but he felt relieved. He looked at Ivy, waiting for her response.

"Wow" is what she was able to utter at first. He found it amusing that this was the word she used. But he shook this thought quickly and waited for her to speak again. He didn't know what to say.

"Your story is not over," she said at last

"What?"

"Obviously she is special to you. I suspect it's even more than that, but I suppose you understand that I don't want to elaborate on it or even think about it"

"I'm sorry," he released a breath he didn't know he was holding "Ivy, I ... in any other situation ..." He cared about her, a lot. She was like a breath of fresh air for his life and she opened his heart, something he never thought was possible again. He knew he would cherish his time with her.

"Shh .. I know," she put her hand on his arm "we had something good "she whispered sadly and continued," But that's life. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. And now I'm on the losing side ... your heart is in Bluebell now "She tried to smile and barely succeeded. There was a tear glistening in the edge of her eye

"Ivy, I know it's not fair to ask this of you, but don't be stranger-" he started to say when she interrupted

"Don't worry, Wade Kinsella, I'm not willing to let you go completely from my life. We certainly need time apart. But one day ..."

She closed her suitcase, "I guess the best thing is that I go now"

"You can stay"

"It's okay. I prefer to go"

He just nodded. He knew she was right and its better that way.

She hugged him and lingered for a while until releasing.

He opened the door for her and went to help her with the suitcase "its okay, I can get along" Before she left she turned to him

"Wade, she will realize it someday. Trust me, I'm a writer. I can see it. Your story is not over"