A/N: This is the penultimate chapter, friends, which probably seems weird to you, but honestly, I've done most of what I wanted to with this fic, which means it's time to call it a day very soon! :)

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 17

"I don't know how many more ways I can tell you this, Zoe." Wade sighed as they both got out of the car and each slammed the door, him hurrying around to the front of the vehicle to take a hold of his girlfriend's arm before she got away again. "There is nothing goin' on with me and Tansy. You said you believed me before..."

"I do believe you," Zoe insisted, feeling awful as she looked up into his eyes and saw how much she was hurting him. "I really do, Wade, I just... I mean, seriously, she's gorgeous. All blonde hair and legs and everything, plus you guys have history, and she's right there in front of you, every day!" she insisted, waving her free arm around like a crazy windmill.

She must have looked like a fool. If Zoe hadn't realised that herself, the people staring as they passed through the parking lot certainly drew her attention to the fact. It was just so stupid to be paranoid and jealous like this, she knew that, but she couldn't seem to shake it off, even if it did make her feel guilty.

"Zoe, are you kidding me right now?" Wade checked, shaking his head. "Baby, you talk like Tans is some kind of supermodel and you fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. Not that I'm only with you for your looks," he quickly told her, "but sweetheart, you are gorgeous, as well as the funniest, smartest, sweetest, just all-around best woman I ever met in my whole life. No offence to Tansy, I like her well enough, but... but she's not you, Zoe Hart, so she's not the woman for me."

It was possibly the most romantic speech she had ever heard in her life. Zoe was so overawed by it, she could do nothing but stare and smile like an idiot, even as happy tears filled her eyes. Before she had a chance to give it too much thought, she suddenly pushed herself forward, throwing her arms up around Wade's neck and kissing him long and hard on the mouth.

They were both so lost in the moment, it took a while to realise they had become centre of attention outside the Mobile airport building. Soon, whistles and cheers made them pull apart, Zoe feeling so embarrassed to have an audience, and Wade, of course, loving it.

"Oh my God!" Zoe gasped. "We really need to get inside."

"Yeah, I guess we should do that," her boyfriend agreed, grabbing her hand and kissing the back of it before they entered the building, swinging their arms between them. "You know, the weirdest part of all this is that I'm pretty sure my ex-wife and your ex-crush are the ones who are really gonna be gettin' hooked up before long."

Zoe's smile slipped a little when she heard that, but only because she was so confused by what Wade was telling her. She only really crushed on one person around Bluebell before she and Wade got together, but he couldn't really mean...

"Tansy and George?" she checked, wide-eyed with surprise. "Seriously?"

"Yes, ma'am." Wade nodded his confirmation. "I mean, far as I know, nothin' has really happened there yet, but I don't know, she talks about him a lot, an' he's been askin' after her pretty much every time he comes into the Rammer Jammer. Could be somethin'."

It sounded awfully strange to Zoe that George would go for someone like Tansy, although she supposed it would be a refreshing change for him after fifteen years of Lemon. Much as Zoe had learned to love her like a best friend these days, there were a bunch of fairly uptight qualities to Ms Breeland, especially before the non-wedding. Tansy was much more naturally free-spirited, in a similar way to Wade, and he had certainly improved Zoe's life a whole lot. Maybe Tansy was exactly the type of person George should be with.

"Huh," she said, after considering it a while. "Looks like things are working out for everybody. I mean, Lemon and Lavon, George and Tansy, you and me." She smiled extra big for that last one. "Wade, I'm sorry about before. I know I was being crazy about Tansy, it's just that... that I like you, so much, and I've never had a real relationship before. Plus, the people in my life that I care about, I have this habit of losing them..."

"Hey, you're not goin' to lose me, doc," he assured her, pulling on her hand so that she would stop walking and bringing her into his arms once again. "And I get the whole jealous thing, believe me, I do. I mean, you really did have a big thing for Tucker for a while, which was not my favourite thing, and I guess since I was married to Tans, and she is a little free and easy about the way she is around me... it makes sense for you to be worried."

"I think so." Zoe nodded. "But you know I do trust you, right?"

"Sure thing, doc," he promised her, tucking her hair back behind her ear, "and I trust you too. So, let's just forget all about it, okay?"

"Okay," she agreed, smiling up at him.

He kissed her quickly this time, clearly realising, just as Zoe did, that any more would just attract further attention, as well as lead to them wanting to do things that were entirely inappropriate for a public place. Besides, they really should be paying attention to the arrivals board to see if the flight from New York was on time.

"Speakin' o' trust," said Wade as they both scanned the boards then. "Anythin' ever happen with you and this Joel?"

"Absolutely nothing," Zoe assured him. "Although, I'm pretty sure he did kind of have a crush on me before. Maybe he still does, but no, I had zero interest in Joel as anything but a friend and that is still true. In fact, I was thinking of setting him up with Annabeth while he's in town."

"Seriously?" Wade checked, looking down at her. "You wanna throw your fancy New York friend at sweet little hometown Annabeth Nass?"

"Joel is not fancy." Zoe rolled her eyes. "Yes, he grew up in the city like me, but he's a really nice guy. All gentlemanly and sweet. He would be so great for AB, after all she went through with her husband cheating on her and everything."

"I swear, I ever see Jake again, I'll pop him in the mouth for what he did." Wade shook his head. "AB deserved a whole lot better."

"Agreed," said Zoe definitely. "She deserves someone nice. Someone who would never cheat or lie. Someone kind and sweet and..."

"Nerdy as all get-out?" Wade checked, spotting the man in the glasses waving like a crazy person at Zoe, who was waving back in much the same way.

She laughed at the comment, but poked him in the ribs too. "Be nice," she commanded.

"Yes, ma'am," Wade agreed, stepping up to meet the new guy in town.

"I mean, you know I always had bigger dreams than bein' married to Jake. Given how much I love to cook and how many compliments I get, I figured catering would be a real good idea. The problem is, organised as I am in my house and all, I'm not so sure that actually running a business by myself would really work."

Annabeth looked at Lemon in such a way as to baffle her at first. Then suddenly something clicked in her head and a grin spread right across her face.

"Annabeth!" she gasped at her friend. "Are you suggestin' what I think you're suggestin'?" she asked excitedly.

"Well, I think so," said Annabeth with a smile of her own. "I mean, you have been in charge of the Belles and so many events in town over the years, there's no way you couldn't handle the financials and dealing with the servers and such, right? You know I've got no love for numbers and I just hate confrontation," she said definitely.

"Oh, honey, you know I love math and ordering people around!" Lemon confirmed without pause, not even caring what that sounded like to anybody else.

It thrilled her to think she could be doing something more with her life than just being a part-time receptionist for her daddy and Zoe Hart. Sure, it was a job and she had to have one in order to make rent and be a little more independent than she used to be, but it wasn't all she wanted out of life.

"And what could possibly be better than goin' into business with my very best friend?" she declared, reaching across the table to hug Annabeth tightly.

"Oh, I am so happy to hear you say that," she replied, hugging her back. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I like Zoe Hart an awful lot, and I think it's just wonderful how you two are room-mates and friends and all, but I would hate to think that it meant you and me would ever end up being less close than we are."

"That will never happen, AB," Lemon promised, even as they parted. "Zoe has turned out to be a surprisingly good friend, but no-one could ever replace you."

"I feel exactly the same way." Annabeth smiled, picking up her coffee cup and taking a dainty sip. "And like I said, I think it's just great the way you two get along so well. Two strong, independent women in an apartment of their own and..."

She trailed off then and Lemon knew, before Annabeth ever asked the question, just exactly what came next. It was her own expression that had given her away, though Lemon had really tried hard to keep on smiling throughout.

"Oh, AB," she said with a sigh, moving her chair closer to her friend's own and lowering her voice as she went on. "I don't know how much longer I can live with Zoe, and I just don't know how to tell her. Oh, it is nothing she did wrong," she quickly explained, seeing Annabeth's surprise. "We get along so well, I can hardly believe it. It's just that... well, Lavon asked if I would want to move in with him, up at the plantation and, and I said yes," she explained, wincing at her own words.

Annabeth looked as if she was about to have some kind of over-the-top thrilled reaction, until the light started to dawn and she realised what the real problem was.

"Oh, and that would leave Zoe all alone in the apartment."

"Exactly." Lemon sighed one more time. "I mean, I'm sure on her doctor's salary she could probably afford the place without me, but leaving her all by herself, after everything we have been through together? It doesn't seem right. I don't think I can do such a thing to poor... Zoe!"

The last word was a greeting rather than just a statement of her friend's name, as the self-same woman walked in the door with a man trailing behind her that Lemon had never seen before in her life. It took her a moment to recall that Zoe had mentioned a friend coming to stay and the plan she had laid out regarding him and AB.

"Is that the time?" said Lemon, getting quickly to her feet. "Sorry, AB, must dash!"

She was out of the door before anyone could question her, sharing a wink with Zoe as she went.

If Annabeth noticed, she didn't say anything, Zoe herself was glad to note. If anything, she seemed very distracted by Joel. Now, wasn't that a good start?

"Hey, AB," she greeted her happily. "Can I introduce you to my friend Joel?" she said, gesturing between them. "He just flew in from New York and he's going to be visiting in town for a few days. Joel Stephens, this is Annabeth Nass, a very good friend of mine, who was born and raised in good old Bluebell."

Zoe watched with delight as the pair shook hands and smiled widely at each other, then remembered herself, shaking off the happy expression and looking quickly at her cell as if a message just came in.

"Oh, no!" she said, shaking her head. "Joel, I am so sorry. I know I was supposed to give you the grand tour of the town, but there's a medical emergency - I'm gonna to have to run."

"Well, that's fine, Zoe," he assured her, polite and understanding as he ever had been. "We can just-"

"Hey, you know what?" she cut in fast before he could make any kind of suggestion about delaying the tour. "I'll bet Annabeth would be happy to show you around, right, AB?" she said, even as she backed up towards the door. "I mean, you've lived here your whole life, you'll make a much better tour guide than me anyway, and I can catch up with you later, okay, Joel?"

Zoe didn't wait for any response from either of her friends, just all but ran out of the Butterstick, grinning for all she was worth the moment she was out of sight.

"And so, AB has spent all afternoon giving Joel a tour of Bluebell, and tonight, I hear he's taking her to dinner as a thank you," said Zoe proudly. "I rock as a matchmaker," she added with a grin, before taking another bite of pizza.

"I cannot believe that worked." Wade shook his head. "'Course, I'm happy for AB and all. Your buddy seems decent enough. A little too Shakespeare for around these parts maybe, but I figure he'll treat her right."

"He absolutely will." Zoe nodded definitely, wiping her hands on a napkin. "So, you see, it's all working out. You and me, Lemon and Lavon, Rose and Max, George and Tansy, apparently, and now AB and Joel."

As far as Zoe could tell, it was all going so perfectly. It was the odd expression on Wade's face as she looked across the couch at him which gave her pause for thought.

"Well, I'd like to think it's that simple for everybody, doc," he considered, "but given Lemon and Lavon's past history, Rose and Max being teenagers, Tansy's habit of gettin' irrational, and your friend Joel havin' to head home after a week or two, it doesn't altogether look good, does it?"

She didn't know how to argue with any of that. Of course, all relationships were open to trouble. Nothing was guaranteed to be forever, not even when people seemed perfect for each other. Still, Zoe would like to hope that at least some of these couples were truly meant to be.

"'Course, I will say that of all o' those couples you listed, I see one havin' a better chance at lastin' than most," said Wade then, reaching for her and pulling her into his lap. "That'd be you and me, sweetheart," he said with a grin.

"I guess I can't be too mad about that," she replied, as they shared a brief kiss, "but I do hope the others all work out too."

"Yeah, I guess that'd be cool," Wade agreed, though he didn't seem all that interested in talking about other couples anymore.

He kissed Zoe again, on the lips, and then on the cheek, before finding the spot on her neck that never failed to make her knees go weak. There was no way Zoe was going to object to any of Wade's advances, even when they got pretty horizonal on the couch. Still, when first base fast led to second and third, she knew she ought to apply the brakes before they hit home run territory.

"Wade, I can't," she told him, wriggling to get away.

He sighed, even as he moved off her some and let her sit up a little.

"Why not?"

"Because I have to actually go home tonight," she said definitely, knowing that what started as fumbling on the couch never ended there.

They would be in his bed before long, getting physical enough that they would fall asleep together. Even if Zoe did wake up before dawn, she could never be bothered to actually get up, get dressed, and head for home. It was great, in its way, spending the night together with Wade, but it couldn't happen all of the time, Zoe was determined on that, no matter how much he pouted about it.

"Come on, I have stayed over with you more nights this week than I've been back to the apartment," she said with a look. "It's almost like I live here now."

"Would that be so bad?" Wade shrugged.

"Um, yes," Zoe told him without pause. "This is such a guy's place. It's not big enough for two people, you're not exactly tidy, and-"

"Okay, okay, I get it. You don't wanna live in the gatehouse," said Wade, hands raised in mock surrender. "But... well, Tansy'll be movin' out in a couple o' days, so she said. The carriagehouse'll be empty again. With you and me back on track and everythin', can't you at least be just across the pond like you used to be?" he suggested hopefully, reaching out to move her hair back over her shoulder tenderly. "You know, I miss those days, Zoe. Even the part where you kept on blowin' my electricity," he added with a salacious grin, that made Zoe laugh.

He could be so dumb sometimes, but also incredibly sweet when the mood took him. Add to that the sheer amount of sex appeal he had going on and Zoe wondered how she ever resisted Wade for as long as she had.

"Come over here, cowboy, and I'll blow your electricity," she told him, pulling him closer again, grinning so much she was almost giggling.

"Oh, alright now," he said, laughing along with her as they got back to what they did best.

For a minute there, in amongst the kisses and giddy laughter, Zoe seriously considered what Wade had suggested. Moving back to the carriagehouse, being so close to him, getting back to the one place that truly felt like home in Bluebell, and having Lavon around each day again to be her big brother. It all sounded so great, except for one thing. How would she break it to Lemon?

Not long after, as the passion overtook her and Wade both, Zoe's mind went beautifully blank and she forgot to worry about the complications of real life. Still, in the morning, they would still be there, and somehow, she would have to face them. If she wanted to move back to the plantation, she would have to give up her apartment and let down Lemon. That prospect didn't thrill her at all.

To Be Continued...