A/N: Seems like some folks felt the last chapter was just 'filler' and some are not fans of Lemon/Lavon. Hmm, that's unfortunate. Well, hopefully, there are still some readers that want to stick with this story. Please do let me know in a review if you're still with me, because that'd be nice to know. Thanks all :)

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 9

"Does this look okay?" Zoe asked Lemon, showing off the dress she had clearly picked out for her date with Wade. "Now, I know you and I have very different ideas about fashion and you would probably never, ever wear something like this yourself," she said fast, "but I'm asking for me. Does it look okay on me? It's not too 'come and get it', right? Because as much as I might want that to happen, I'd rather be the one who says so, not the dress."

"Oh, my goodness, Zoe Hart, if you never stop to draw breath, how on Earth am I supposed to answer any of your questions?" her room-mate complained, throwing her magazine onto the couch in frustration. "Now, hush up, stand still, and let me see what we have here."

Getting up from her seat, she walked over to Zoe, circling her so she could see the outfit she wore from all angles. She was right, of course, it was not at all to Lemon's taste for herself, but on Zoe, it really didn't look half bad.

"I do believe this is as close to tasteful as anything in your closet ever has been," she said as she came back around in front of Zoe. "And as for your other concern, no, I don't think you're being too obvious about your... lustful feelings towards Wade Kinsella," she said, sure she scrunched her nose when she said it, even though she didn't really mean to.

Of all the women in town, Lemon knew she was in the minority when it came to Wade. The very idea of touching him in that way made her feel positively nauseous. He was always so much like a brother to George, she supposed she always looked to him that way herself. For Zoe, it was obviously very different.

"Okay, so, I'm ready," she said, reaching for her purse. "Except, I need to go to the bathroom. God, I just came out from there five minutes ago! What is the matter with me? Am I really that nervous?"

"It seems so, Zoe Hart." Lemon smiled, finding her almost as adorable as she was annoying, which was pretty normal from what she could tell. "Go on now, go if you're goin'. It's almost seven-thirty as it is."

Zoe rushed off to the bathroom, slamming the door when she got there, and Lemon heaved a sigh. Much as she didn't really want to be, she was almost jealous of her friend right now. Not that she wanted to be going on a date with Wade, of course, but because her own night was likely to be much less fun.

Annabeth was coming over, which was nice, in its own way, but Lemon wasn't at all looking forward to the talk they must have. She had been remiss in not sharing her secrets with her best friend just recently, and with the whole pregnancy scare and everything, she had so much she wanted AB to know.

"Okay, I'm good," said Zoe as she returned to the living room. "And apparently, right on time," she added with a grin as the buzzer sounded.

It must have been Wade because almost the exact same moment she picked up the intercom phone, she was letting the person in. It made Lemon smile to see Zoe Hart so happy, which was something she never thought for a moment would be possible. The little doctor had really turned out to be a true friend these past few months, and never more so than in the past week.

"You are okay, right?" Zoe checked on her way to the door. "Because if you need me to not go out tonight-"

"I would never do such a thing to you, Zoe Hart." Lemon shook her head. "Besides, I already told you, I have AB coming over and we're going to have us a real nice catch-up on a few things."

The angst behind her smile must've showed because Zoe didn't return the supposed happy look. She realised what Lemon meant by 'catch-up'. They really had got to know each other almost too well.

"It'll be fine, Lemon. Annabeth is so sweet and kind, plus she loves you like a sister. She'll absolutely understand why you've kept your secrets. I know she will."

"I really hope you're right." Lemon sighed.

Zoe nodded that she was sure she was, then opened the door to reveal Wade on the other side.

He seemed to have made an effort at least. Not exactly formal wear or anything, but items of clothing that appeared to have been recently cleaned and pressed. Even Lemon was a little impressed and very glad, on Zoe's behalf, to see him really trying.

Of course, when Wade loudly whistled his appreciation of Zoe's own ensemble, he proved he wasn't quite the gentleman that some other men in town were, but Lemon knew better than to expect miracles. At least Zoe seemed happy.

"Don't wait up," she told Lemon with a grin and then she was gone, practically skipping out of the door behind Wade.

"Somehow, I don't think it'd do me any good."

Zoe honestly wasn't sure what to expect when it came to a real live date with Wade Kinsella. All he ever really offered her before was sex and she was already well-aware of how skilled he was in that department. Apart from one random occasion last Christmas when he offered to buy her a drink, Zoe couldn't recall anything date-like ever being suggested, not until last week when she and Wade finally had a serious talk and decided it was the only way forward for the two of them. Still, she had trouble picturing the scenario. What did a date with Wade entail exactly?

She asked him once, a couple of days ago, not least because she needed to know how to dress for the occasion. Fancy or casual? Flat shoes or heels? It mattered whether they were going to be indoors or outdoors, whether they would be travelling by car or doing much walking.

Wade seemed amused by her questions but did promise Zoe that whatever she wore he was sure she would look great. He also promised he wasn't going to pull any tricks on her. He just planned to take her to dinner, so they could spend some time alone together, that was all.

Even then, Zoe was a little wary. Dinner with Wade could be anything from burgers at the Rammer Jammer to something home-cooked at the plantation to a fancy meal at, well, Fancie's! He didn't seem keen to tell her which and it seemed wrong to try and spoil what was clearly supposed to be a surprise. In the end, it turned out they weren't going to any of the places she could think of in Bluebell. A twenty-minute drive took them to Daphne and a cute little bistro with a quiet corner table booked under the name of Kinsella.

"I figured with how much gossip goes flying around town, best we did this whole first date thing away from too many prying eyes," Wade had said as they sat down in the restaurant together.

"That was a very smart idea," Zoe agreed with a smile.

It was awkward at first, which honestly, she sort of expected it would be. After all, they had been neighbours and kind of friends for a while, then things got weird when she realised he had feelings for her. That fight in the barn as a thunderstorm raged around them, it was something Zoe would never forget. Neither could she ever erase the memories of the night that followed. The first and only night she and Wade had spent in bed together.

It had been truly amazing, but then George had showed up and everything got so confusing all over again. Of course, Wade tried to pretend that it all meant nothing to him, that love and commitment were the furthest things from his mind and he was only in it for the sex. Zoe couldn't blame him. She had done the same, after all. What fools they had been then!

"You okay there, doc?" Wade asked from his side of the table, having caught Zoe staring at him over the top of her menu.

"Sure, I'm fine," she told him, moving her eyes to the list of food on offer. "I was just thinking, this is a great place. You ever bring any other dates here?"

"Subtle as ever, Zoe Hart," he said, shaking his head but smiling all the same. "No, I never brought anybody else here. Come on, doc, you know me better than that. Haven't exactly done a whole lot of this kind of dating before."

Zoe nodded that she did know that. She knew Wade's reputation as well as anybody. They lived across from each other, so she had first-hand experience of his old 'dating' habits, if it could even be called that.

A long line of easy women who came and went, literally. It was fine and totally their choice if they were happy being that way, Zoe wasn't judging, but it wasn't the way she was at all. She wasn't sure yet exactly what her and Wade would be to each other after tonight, but she was determined on what she said before. She wasn't the type for a one-night stand or a casual relationship, not counting that one slip with Wade himself.

"Guess I can't exactly blame you for thinkin' I'm not too serious about all this," he said, gesturing vaguely at the candle-lit table for two between them. "Truth is, doc, it's not my usual scene, like we said, but I am tryin'. For what it's worth, I happen to think you're worth changin' a little for."

Zoe smiled, she couldn't help herself.

"Changing a little is good," she agreed, "but only a little. Don't go getting an even bigger head than you already have, Kinsella, but there's not too much I'd change about you."

He shot her a winning smile. "Well, that sounds good to me, doc."

The server came by then and took their order. Conversation started to flow a little more easily, mostly just talk of things Zoe had missed at the plantation and tales she could tell from living with Lemon too. They laughed like old friends and just enjoyed each other's company a while. Zoe had to admit, it was a really nice way to spend an evening.

Over their meal, they talked a little less, not least because their mouths were mostly full of delicious food, though Zoe had to admit she also felt a little awkward when Wade's latest anecdote included George Tucker and a date he went on recently.

"Guess I'm not supposed to talk about that, huh?" he said, clearly seeing something cross over her face. "You're still kinda stuck on him after all, aren't you?"

"No." Zoe shook her head, not entirely surprised to see a look of disbelief on Wade's face. "Wade, I'm really not. I can't deny that I have had feelings for George, and I think a part of me will always wonder what could've happened, but... well, I can't help but think that if I really wanted to be with George, I could've chosen him months ago, yet I didn't."

"At the time, you didn't exactly choose me either," he reminded her.

"At the time, you made it pretty clear you didn't want me to," she countered fast, immediately regretting her harsh tone. "Look, Wade," she said then, heaving a sigh. "I don't want to fight about George, or about anything else, actually. What happened with me and him and with me and you, you know, on the day of the wedding-that-wasn't, it's history now, all in the past. Personally, I would really, really like to start over," she suggested hopefully. "You and me, first date, here we are. Can't we just go from here and see what happens?"

When he didn't answer her immediately, Zoe felt just a little nervous. Wade would have every right to say no. He could just as easily tell her he didn't want to date her, knowing she might always carry at least a small torch for George Tucker. He was at liberty to get up and walk away right now. Zoe half-expected him to. She also really hoped that he wouldn't do it.

"Well, I say that I will drink to that, Zoe Hart," he said eventually, picking up his beer to toast the decision made. "To you and me, startin' over."

Zoe was grinning as she raised her own glass and clinked it against his own.

"To starting over."

To Be Continued...