A/N: A quick little chapter after a chunky one. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I'm happy that people seemed to like the (temporary) change of setting. Happy reading!

WPOV

New Year's with Zoe was one of the best I'd ever had. For one, there was no rushing to find a girl to ring in midnight with. Second, it was great to see the doc relax a bit, even if we were hurting the next day. I wasn't sure how much of what she said that night was true, like about her staying and spending other New Years' together in New Orleans because we all say shit we don't mean when wasted – I should know.

And I think she had a pretty good time too. Even at the Monster Truck rally, she got totally into it – a trucker hat and yelling at the cars everyone else was rooting for. Sure we got some dirty looks, but it was hilarious seeing her get so wrapped up in it. I've taken girls out to do stuff they don't necessarily want to do because it's not in their wheelhouse and they just sit there complaining, or playing on their phones the whole time. Not Zoe, she made me excited to be there – even more than I already was.

The rest of January rolled through with nothing too exciting happening, unless you count Lemon and George postponing their wedding, exciting. The entire town went into mourning thinking that it signaled the end of the era of Golden Boy and Lemon Breeland, until they found out it was because Lemon's grandmother had gotten sick, and since she was paying for most of it, felt that she should be able to attend the wedding. It was pushed back to April now, and no, I don't know what her grandmother has that's keeping her out for so long, but it can't be good, right?

Zoe and I were going strong. When she got back from New Orleans she'd been able to go back to her normal work schedule, and was hanging out with Rose and Lavon more since she felt she'd been neglecting them since we'd started dating. It was a fair point; outside of the camping trip with the Truitts and occasional Call of Duty game with Meatball, I hadn't really been hanging out with anyone outside of Zoe and whoever dropped by the bar.

The day after Martin Luther King Day, I started to take a bit more notice about something going on at the bar. Dash had put up a poster board with dates and tiny cut out photos of Zoe's face with a sad look which was just plain creepy.

"Hey Wanda," I asked, nudging her as she stood beside the bar. Dash and a group of over five people were gathered around this serial killer-esque board. "What's going on?"

"Going on?" She asked, looking from me to the board and back. "Oh that, that's the town pool for when you'll break up with Zoe," she nodded her head back and for, "or when you'll do something that will break Zoe's heart and she'll have no choice but to break up with you."

I looked at her like she had three heads. "Zoe and I are fine."

"Sure right now, but you two are fast approaching the longest relationship you've ever had."

"I was with Tancy way longer than two months."

She shook her head. "No one counts that since technically you two were together a month, got married, were together another couple of weeks and then stopped talking all together. That time doesn't count since you spent it separated and dating other people."

I didn't understand that logic, but even if I did that was just... cruel.

"Should I even ask where Dash got that photo of the doc?" I asked, steering the topic in a different direction.

"Probably from a photo he took for the blog," she guessed.

"How many people are signed up for this thing?" Dash sure was putting a lot of bets on the board.

"So far about fifteen. The pool is up to 300 bucks; it's a $15 buy in," she said turning to look at me. "So if you're thinkin about it could you wait until February 3rd? I want to buy Tom one of those replica light sabers."

"Wanda that's only like two weeks away," I started. "I have a feeling that we'll be together longer than that." At least if I had anything to do with it, which according to the town, I did.

"Now is that what they call, insider trading? Because if not, I'm going to go change my date."

"I'd say change it," I encouraged. She smiled, mouthing a thank you as she headed towards the group.

Tucker walked in just as Wanda was moving her Zoe face further into February. "Hey Tucker," I greeted. "What can I get ya?"

"Coffee for now, thanks."

I filled up his cup, and not wanting to be rude and just walk away, I awkwardly started the first real conversion with him since he threatened to steal Zoe from under my nose for that New Year's Eve charity auction. "So, how's everything goin?"

"Alright, Lemon is being Lemon," he chuckled. "We had everything planned for this wedding, but now that there's an additional couple of months, she's acting like she needs to start from scratch."

"Yea, women and weddings right?"

"More like Lemon and her wedding," George pointed out. I puffed out a laugh. "Right."

"So what about you? I heard you and Zoe went away for New Year's."

"Yea, we drove to New Orleans and had a pretty good time. She even came with me to a Monster Truck rally."

He laughed, looking at me just as shocked as I must have looked when she got me the tickets. "No way. Zoe at a rally? Your idea?" He asked, still chuckling.

"Surprisingly, no."

"Wow..." he said, in total disbelief. "Well hey man, congrats. I never would have pegged her for that kinda girl."

"You and me both. But she seemed to like it, at least, she didn't hate it."

"Nice." He took a sip from his cup, looking down at it for a second then over at me. "And man, I just want to apologize, clear the air," he said, shaking his head. "I don't know what was going on with me last month. I think I was just feeling stir crazy with all the family events and the wedding. I didn't mean to get all weird with the Zoe stuff."

"Yea, no, no worries," I told him. Now that it had been a month since the whole thing, it didn't seem like such a big deal. Plus, Zoe had been on my side about it and that was what mattered.

"Cool," he nodded. "So what's Dash up to?" He said turning halfway in his chair and looking at the poster.

"He and the town have decided to take bets on when Zoe and I are gonna break up."

He laughed. "No kidding? Why?"

I shrugged. "Something about us hitting the longest amount of time I've ever been in a relationship."

"Shit, it's been two months already?"

"How does everyone know the length of my longest relationship?" I asked, completely surprised that yet another person knew that off the top of their head.

"You're kidding right? Wade, you're not exactly known for your commitment to women."

"That doesn't mean this one won't last longer than two months," I shot back.

"Hey, I'm not saying what they're doing is okay. I'm just sayin, the town gets bored and this is something to pass the time. I'm sure when you and Zoe pass the two month mark, they'll get bored and this whole thing will die down."

And she and I did pass it, without a single hitch. Whereas I was pissed that the town was making a game out of my relationship history, Zoe thought it was hilarious. She even asked Dash if she could throw down on it. He, in his own polite way, said no because (in his words) 'it's a conflict of interest'. She was pretty pouty for a few hours after that.

But the rest of January flew by, and Valentine's day was quickly approaching. Not a holiday I was too fond of. I kinda had a habit of breaking up with girls just before, so I could avoid having to shell out double what I normally would, for a date.

But this was different. This relationship was definitely not something I wanted to quit just to avoid spending an extra $100 on flowers and dinner. "Hey, are we supposed to do anything for Valentine's day?" I asked a few days before the holiday as we sat on my couch, me playing a video game and her reading, her legs across my lap. This had become an average night for us when I wasn't closing and she didn't have a work emergency.

"I don't know," she replied, and I felt her eyes on me. "Are we?"

I glanced at her and shrugged. "Do you want to?"

"I don't know. Not really? Is that terrible to say?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "It's not terrible. But I mean, if you wanted to do something, I'd be up for it." Please still say no.

"Eh, nah. Not really. I don't really feel like fighting for a table at Fancy's."

"We wouldn't have to go to Fancy's," I suggested as I tried to maintain focus on the game. What the hell was I saying? I absolutely did not want her to change her mind about this one.

Her legs pulled back and I turned to watch her sit up and move closer to me. "What would we do then?"

Hell if I knew. "Um, I don't know. I could think of something though, if you want." Dear God, why are you still speaking Wade?

"If you want to, I'd be up for it," she mimicked, laughing under her breath. "I never took you for the Valentine's Day type." You and me both.

"Yea, well I'm just chalk full of surprises, doc."

ZPOV

The town was covered in Valentine's Day propaganda in the days leading up to the red-heart day. And the day of, everyone seemed to have hearts for eyes. Even though I was part of a couple this year, it still felt like everyone was a two-some and showing PDA en mass.

"So what does Wade have planned for you guys tonight?" Rose asked as we split a piece of chocolate cake at the Rammer Jammer. When they started serving cake, I couldn't tell you, but it was going to be my go to order from now on. It was delicious.

I shrugged. "I'm not really sure. He's been super quiet about it. For all I know, he forgot," I laughed, digging in for another piece. "What about you? Any Valentine's Day plans with Tyler?" Tyler Maxwell was Rose's new crush, an adorable kid that was on the baseball team.

Rose rolled her eyes. "Tyler can't stop staring at Magnolia long enough to look at anyone else," she spat out.

"That sucks," I sympathized. "But isn't she dating someone right now?"

"Like that's ever stopped any boy ever from pining for her?" She quipped. Fair point, there were always those girls in high school that boys followed around with their tongues on the floor no matter if the girl was single or not.

"Well if I knew what Wade and I were doing, I'd invite you to hang out with us."

She laughed, taking a huge piece of the take and making me slightly regret the invite. "No offense, but I'd rather sit at home watching the Hallmark Channel. The last thing I want to do tonight is be a third wheel to a cute couple."

I grinned. He and I were a cute couple. "Yea, that makes sense," I agreed, scraping off some frosting from the plate. "Another slice?" I asked.

"Maybe two, I need to nurse my fractured heart."

"You got it," I said, standing up and walking over to the bar. "Hey," I said, leaning against the counter.

"Hey yourself," Wade said, putting his dishtowel down.

"More cake?" I asked. He laughed and shook nodded. "Coming up."

"Make that two slices, one to go. Rose needs some sympathy dessert."

"Why?"

"You know," I sighed, "boys are dumb."

"Yes, yes we are. Especially at 15."

I nodded, smiling widely. "See you know." I paused while he put in the order for the cake. "You know what I don't know?" I asked, trying to be nonchalant.

"Um, how to scramble eggs?"

"No."

"Change a tire?"

"No."

"Trap a raccoon?"

"Wade," I sighed.

"Fine, fine," he said, stopping and leaning on his arms closer to me. "What?"

"I don't know what we're doing tonight."

A sly grin spread across his face. "You'll see."

"But how am I supposed to prepare for this?"

"Prepare?"

"Yea, do I wear a dress? Jeans? Do I need to be prepared to do lots of walking? An overnight bag?"

He laughed. "Wear whatever you want. No to lots of walking, and no to the overnight bag."

"That doesn't really help me," I sighed. "How about a hint?"

He stared up at the ceiling, as if debating what to do.

"You'll be eating."

"Eating where? What kind of food?"

He reached around grabbing the two slices of cake. "Dinner. You'll be eating dinner, so don't hoover all of this by yourself," he said sliding the plated slice towards me.

"Fine," I sighed again. "What time should I be ready, and where am I meeting you?"

"I'll pick you up at your place at eight," he answered. Finally, something concrete.

"Okay, thank you," I said, meaning it. I grabbed the two slices and headed back to Rose.

"So what are you getting Wade?" She asked after taking the first bite of the new slice.

"A song," I said, realizing it was kind of cryptic. "It's kind of an inside joke."

She sighed. "I wish Tyler and I had inside jokes."

I felt for her, I really did. All through high school I was the scrawny, science nerd that went all four years without a boyfriend. It wasn't until college that my brains and some fashion tips started getting me dates. And even since, I still hadn't dated more guys than it seemed Magnolia had, and she was half my age.

I headed home after Rose had to head to her babysitting gig for the night. While crushed by, well her crush, she was excited to be making double what she normally got for babysitting. "Supply and demand," she smiled. "Not enough babysitters to go around on Valentine's Day so my price is at a premium."

"Look at you, Ms. Capitalist," I teased as we headed across the square together.

"I figure I might as well make the most of being the only girl in high school without a date tonight."

"That's absolutely not true," I told her honestly.

"It sure feels like it," she lamented. "But I'll catch ya later, Zoe. Have fun tonight."

I smiled, giving her a hug before heading towards home. I got to my apartment and showered before realizing that the majority of my clothes had made their way to Wade's. Shoot. I tossed on a mismatch of laundry-day shorts, a button down, and flip flops and practically sprinted across the yard to Wade's to change.

At 7:30, I headed to my place wearing my go to little black dress, a plain lace body-con dress with capped sleeves – a classic.

I walked in and stopped in the doorway. Wade was already there – in a suit no less. He'd set up a table for two, with candles as the only light source. "Wade..." I trailed off, completely surprised and amazed.

He looked up from where he was opening a bottle of wine. "Hey," he grinned. "You're early."

"Well you told me to meet you here, so here I am," I said with arms wide. He uncorked the wine and set it on the table before walking over to me.

"You look gorgeous," he said, putting a hand on my neck and leaning down to kiss me. I sighed into the kiss, my hands moving to his sides.

"You look pretty nice too," I smiled as he pulled back.

"I figured," he started leading me to the table and going so far as to pull my chair out for me. "Since we're usually at my place, and there's a whole sea of red hearts and cupids out there, that this was a good middle ground."

"It's perfect," I said, taking it all in, right down to the roasted chicken, potatoes, and grilled vegetables on the plate in front of me. "Did you make all this?"

"Mhm," he said, pouring me a glass of white wine.

"When? I just saw you a few hours ago."

He laughed, pouring himself a glass. I wasn't sure I'd ever seen Wade drink wine before. "It doesn't take that long to cook what we're having."

"And the clothes?"

"Tossed them in the car this morning and changed at Lavon's."

"Wow, so you had all this planned out."

He smirked. "I had a couple ideas floating in my head."

We ate and talked for awhile. He was an amazing cook, so good that I wondered if he'd ever thought of opening a restaurant in town. It would definitely surpass Fancy's and any of the others currently up and running.

When we were done, we stacked our plates and got up. "So what now?" I asked, moving closer to him.

"Now," he said, placing his hands on either side of my face, and kissing me. "Whatever we want."

I kissed him again. The kissing turned into more kissing, only with less clothes, and well... you get the idea.

"I can't believe you've never been to a major league baseball game," I laughed, leaning my back against his chest as we lounged under the covers in the middle of my bed.

"Why? The nearest professional team is like two states away."

"Yea, but still," I countered without much of an argument. "Oh!" I said sitting up straighter and turning my head to look back at him. "I almost forgot. I have your gift."

"Where did you put it? Your dress was like saran wrap," he teased.

"Ha. Ha," I laughed dryly, crawling to the foot of the bed and reaching for the small purse I'd brought with me that was beside the pile of our clothes. I stretched my arm out, catching his jacket and seeing a red ring box tumble out. My breath stopped. What the hell was that? I picked it up and pulled my cell phone out of my purse, sitting back up on the bed.

"Wade?" I asked, turning and holding the box. "What's this?"