He should have known better. Of course, his friendship with Zoe wasn't going to change, nothing drastic anyway. There were days that instead of her sitting around listening to them practice music in the garage she was out with Graham. Seeing them together, he couldn't be mad because she was happy. What more could he ask for? Their Saturday morning meeting at the Jammer remained, something Graham was okay with, and that made Wade like him even more. He treated Zoe right.
Agreeing to tonight might have been the biggest mistake he's ever made where it regards his friendship with Zoe. He doesn't even know why he said yes. No was the answer on his tongue. He was left horrified for a split second when he heard himself saying yes. The smile she wore, big and bright, made him feel better about what he had done. That was before it all sunk in before he was to meet Zoe, Graham and his cousin Lily Anne, for a double date, and dare he say blind date. He knew next to nothing about Lily Anne.
"You can't wear that for a date, little bro," Jesse laughed, ushering him back into his room.
"What's wrong with it?" He asked, looking down at his well-worn jeans, and Johnny Cash tee shirt.
"Everything," Jesse said, rummaging through his brother's closet. "For starters, you need a nice pair of pants, preferably slacks," he informed tossing out a black pair of dress pants. "And you need a nice tee shirt or button up," he said, placing both on the bed. "You decide," he said, going to make his exit. "Just remember what this means to Zoe," he shared exiting his brother's room.
Wade grumbled changing into the clothes his brother placed on his bed. Wearing a plain white tee under the red plaid button up. He rolled the sleeves up as he made his way downstairs. None of his dates prior required him to get all dressed up. They were casual, jeans and a tee kind of date. He's found that he likes going on dates, never with the same girl more than a few times. It's fun and easy. Did he mention fun?
"Oh my baby looks so handsome," Jackie squealed seeing her youngest dressed up for a date. A sight she never gets to see.
"Thanks," he cringed, quickly making his escape, making sure he has plenty of money on him. He didn't know how paying of the bill will work out. "Zoe you look…" he said, having a very hard time completing his sentence.
"Thanks," she blushed. She wore a dark purple long sleeve dress, that stopped below her knees. Her hair curled and pinned back. Her mom helping her with a darker dramatic eye look. She wore black flats, knowing she'd be walking to Fancies with Wade, not wanting her feet to be sore all night. "You look extra nice," Zoe told him, fixing the strap of her purse, as she met him on the sidewalk.
"Thanks," he nodded. "Is there anything you can tell me about Lily?" He asked as they started their walk to Fancies.
"She likes to be called Lily Anne," she told him. "She's nice; I've only met her once. She likes music, wants to start her own band," Zoe shared.
"She sounds like a pretty cool chick," Wade nodded. "You know I wouldn't have done this for anyone else, right?" He asked her. He had a lot of ways he would rather be spending his Friday night. Video games with the boys, going on a date with Veronica because man could she kiss. Heck he would even spend the night with his brother fighting than spend it on a stupid blind date.
"I know and I owe you big time, Wade. You name it, time and place," she told him.
"A bunch of us are going paint-balling tomorrow afternoon," he smirked. "You can bring Graham," he quickly added, seeing her hesitant. He wanted her to know that he had no problem with her boyfriend coming with them.
"Oh, it's not that," she told him, shaking her head lightly. "After our breakfast tomorrow, I have to head out to visit family, since we can't have a Sunday night dinner. Brando has a thing he has to do, he won't say what it is or where it is," she explained.
"I can see if the guys want to wait until Sunday, better rates on Sunday anyway," he shrugged, opening the door to Fancies to let her walk in.
"I'll be there if you can convince them to change the date," she told him. "Thank you, Wade," she smiled at him, making her way to the hostess's stand, Wade following behind her.
"Zoe, Wade, hey," she smiled, fluttering her eyelashes at Wade. Zoe rolled her eyes.
"Hey Kelly," Wade smirked.
Kelly being the popular queen bee in the senior class. Zoe had nothing bad to say about her. She is friends with everyone, hates a bully, sticks up for everyone. She helps out at the animal shelter. You simply can't dislike her. Except for Lemon, as Lemon wants to be the one that runs the school.
"Your dates are waiting for you at the table," she shared, leading them to a table in the back.
All that dread that filled him before leaving his house, that only left when he saw his best friend, looking nothing but stunning in her dress, came rushing back as they followed Kelly through Fancies to their table, menus waiting on the table for them. They sat at a round table, Zoe to his left, Lily Anne to his right and Graham in front of him.
Talking to Graham about sports was easy. Zoe's learned enough about football and baseball to keep up with the conversation; Lily Anne looked bored as they talked about sports. He didn't mind, because he didn't want things with Lily Anne to go beyond this one date. Even so, he didn't think it could be very fun to be on an outing bored, and he was raised better than to ignore her all night. His Ma would have him if she knew.
"Lily Anne, I hear that you want to start a band," Wade commented, figuring that would be the best place to start a conversation.
"Uh yeah," she said, pulling herself from her mind on how awful the night is going for her. "Why?" She asked, carefully. Too many people invested in her music was never a good thing, she's already learnt that lesson.
"I have a band, sort of; we need another singer," he told her. "You can come over tomorrow afternoon for band practice," he told her. Meatball and them wouldn't mind having an impromptu band practice. Asking her to be a part of his band, may be the biggest mistake he's ever made, he's hoping it was the opposite.
"My sound is more folk than country," she warned him.
"Totally fine. We haven't exactly figured our sound out yet," he shrugged. They mostly sang country music, but a few rap or hip hop songs got mixed in. They were trying to write their own songs, but that was harder than they thought. They just weren't there yet.
"Yeah, I might," she nodded.
"Music can do that," Zoe nodded watching as her friend started to smile more and enjoy the company of Lily Anne.
"What can it do?" Graham asked, frowning at Zoe.
"Bring two people together," she smiled, turning her attention to Graham. They've been on a few dates; she didn't classify study dates as actual dates. She didn't know if he was her boyfriend. She wanted to call him her boyfriend. Graham nodded. "Is something wrong?" She asked him quietly, trying to keep Wade and Lily Anne out of the know.
"Why would anything be wrong?" He asked just as quietly.
"You're more interested in the breadsticks," she replied, nodding to the basket in the middle of the table. She glanced to Wade and Lily Anne to see them still in their own little world.
"Do you mind if I walk you home?" He asked. Zoe smiled, relaxing some. She wasn't sure if Graham walking her home was a good thing or not. She stuck with optimism.
"It's fine," she nodded. "If you're not busy, my parents want to have you over for dinner, whenever," she told him. They wanted to learn more about the boy who's been taking up all of her time.
"Maybe next weekend. I am busy this Saturday," he told her. He's learned very quickly that she spends her Sundays with her extended family.
"Same here," she told him. "But Sunday we're free," she shared. "Dad works the afternoon but he'll be home for dinner," she informed him.
"Great, I'll be there," he smiled.
"Good, Dad is making his famous ribs, and all the sides you can ask for," she nodded. She enjoyed the nights her dad made ribs; they were the best in the whole state.
"Really?" Wade asked, Zoe nodded. "Save me some?" He pleaded with a pout.
"I don't know, there never is any leftover," she told him with a smirk.
"You won't even save your bestest friend in the whole world some ribs?" He asked, feigning hurt.
"You can't do that to me," she said, shaking her head. "It's not fair."
"These must be some ribs," Graham laughed. He did find it funny. When he first started to spend time with Zoe and before that, when he first started to like Zoe, he found himself jealous with her spending so much time with Wade and how well they know each other. He came to learn that they really are friends and nothing more than that.
"You'll see on Sunday," Wade told him. "All I ask for is one little rib. Can you do that?" He pouted.
"I'll try," she caved.
"You're the best," he smirked, going back to his conversation with Lily Anne.
Whatever Graham needed to talk to Zoe about after dinner, he let go and enjoyed the night with the girl he likes, his cousin and Wade, someone he thinks of as a friend. Zoe was happy that they were all having a good time. She felt horrible asking Wade to come with her, but she didn't want Lily Anne to come along as the third wheel, and she knows that Wade has a hard time saying no to her. So sometimes she needs to use that against him. She always, always feels bad about it. Wade was actually having a good time. Lily Anne was a little out there, but he enjoyed her company.
"I'll call you about paint-balling tomorrow or Sunday morning," Wade told Zoe. "Graham you're more than welcome to come along," he told the other guy. He actually meant it. He hasn't been too sure about Graham, but so far there isn't anything off about him, and they get along.
"We'll see," Graham nodded, handing Zoe the sweater he wore, seeing her shiver slightly in the cool night air. "Lily Anne will you be okay?" He asked, turning to look at his cousin.
"Yeah, mom will be here in a few minutes," Lily Anne nodded.
"I'll wait with her," Wade said. Bluebell might be a safe little town, but he isn't about to leave a girl waiting alone on the street at night. His Ma would be mad at him if she found him doing such a thing. Not only that he could sense that Graham wanted a few minutes alone with Zoe. If it was bad, she'd be waiting on his front steps.
"Night Lily Anne, Night Wade," Zoe smiled, shoving her hands into the front pocket on Graham's sweater.
"Night Zo," Wade called, taking a seat next to Lily Anne on the bench.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, Graham taking a detour to the gazebo in town square. Zoe sat down on the bench, watching him slowly pace around the gazebo, wiping his hands on his black slacks. She frowned wondering what had him so nervous. It didn't seem like he wanted to call things off. They couldn't break up; they had to be officially dating for that to happen.
"Graham is everything okay?" Zoe asked, biting her lower lip.
"I like you Zoe, a lot," he said, coming to stand in front of her, holding his hand for her to take.
"I like you too, a lot," she smiled, slipping her hand into his, getting to her feet to stand before him.
"You do?" He asked, worry leaving his face.
"Yes!" She exclaimed with a smile. "I admit that I didn't want to like you before the school dance, because you were all any of friends wanted to talk about, but after spending time with you, I have found that I was wrong about you. Graham you're nice, and you're passionate about everything you do; you help anyone who needs it. And we just click," she told him. "I'd be a fool not to like you."
"The feeling is mutual," he shared, taking her free hand into his, holding both hands. "You intrigue me Zoe Wilkes," he smiled. "You're such a sweet person, who cares about others more than yourself. Heck you agreed to go to the dance with a guy you barely knew and didn't like for a friend. Not many people would do that. I'd be a fool if I didn't ask," he said, taking a deep breath.
"Ask what?" She inquired, holding back a smile.
"Let me ask and you'll see," he laughed. "Zoe would you consider being my girlfriend?" He asked, holding his breath.
"No, I won't consider it," she told him, shaking her head, watching his face fall. "Graham, I will happily be your girlfriend," she smiled, watching the pain of being turned down turn into one of happiness.
"Really?" He asked, not believing his luck.
"Yes," she laughed, letting his hands go to wrap around him for a hug. He slid his arms around her.
They pulled away from the hug, sharing a look. Gravity did the work for them, their lips moving towards each other meeting for the first time in a soft, sweet kiss. It didn't last long, but it felt like a lifetime, her heart fluttering with joy, her knees feeling weak from one small kiss.
Graham walked Zoe home. Graham felt like he was on cloud nine, having got the girl of his dreams. Zoe feeling giddy over her first kiss and having her first boyfriend. They held hands as they enjoyed the night.
"Night Zoe," Graham told her, walking her to the front door, things becoming awkward between them.
"Night Graham," she replied, pulling the sleeves over her hands. "I had a lot of fun tonight," she told him.
"Same here," he responded. Not wanting Zoe to get into trouble, he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I'll see you Sunday," he informed, pulling away.
"I'll call you," she told him, feeling disappointed. "Graham," she said, gaining his attention. She caught him off guard pressing her lips to his. This kiss lasting longer than their first kiss. The feelings intensified from their first kiss.
"Night," Graham smiled, walking down the steps.
"Graham, wait your sweater," she called, going to slip it off.
"Keep it, Zoe," he called to her, flashing a smile.
"Night," she called, slipping into her house. Her parents watching a movie in the living room. "I'm home and going to bed, night, love you," she told them, giving her parents a hug.
"Love you, goodnight sweetie," Harley smiled, letting her go.
"How'd the date go?" Candice asked, hugging her daughter.
"Good," she smiled. "He asked me to be his girlfriend," she beamed, walking towards the stairs.
"That's great sweetheart. Did you ask him?" Candice asked.
"He'll be here Sunday and Wade would like some ribs as well," she informed her parents.
"I'll make some extra for him," Harley chuckled.
"That'll make his day," Zoe laughed, heading upstairs. Her mom calling out a night and an I love you.
She quickly got ready for bed, debating on if she wanted to wear Graham's sweater to bed. In the end, she put his sweater back on. She fell asleep with a smile on her face. The idea of being interrogated by her cousins tomorrow, didn't bother her, not when she just had the best date of her life.