Chapter 1 Make Me Feel Better

After Zoe expressed to Wade that she just needed to feel better, he hung his tool belt on the stair railing leading into her house. He closed the door behind him. Every hair he had on his body was standing straight up. There was so much that he wanted to say, so much he wanted to do. Was she really going to give him a second chance? Thoughts were racing through his mind like Dale Earnhardt at a Nascar race.

She walked out of the bathroom in a black lace camisole. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling slowly. Zoe was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. The first day he laid eyes on her, there was something about her, a feeling he had never had before. He comes out of his thoughts when he hears her voice.

"Wade", Zoe said softly "I need you."

"Zoe, I am sorry." Wade was able to choke out ever so gently with tears in his eyes.

"You mean you don't want to do this? God, I can't believe you! Remember when you said that you would take care of me? Do you just lie about everything?' Zoe was rambling.

"Zoe stop! You are taking my words and twisting them into that bread your family makes at Hanukkah. I am sorry for what I have done to you to make you this unhappy. All I want in the world is to hold you, make love to you and be there for you. I love you Zoe Hart!'

Tears are Slowly rolling down her face but this is not what she wants right now. She can't hear this right now. She is broken.

"Wade, I need you to be with me tonight. Please make my pain go away.." Zoe said as she started unbuttoning his shirt. He just stared at her chocolate brown eyes wondering if she could ever say those 3 words back to him. He lightly rubbed his fingers up and down her arms and finally dropped the straps to her cami and kissed her shoulder and moved his lips up to her neck. She was wanting to go faster but Wade kept slowing her down. He wanted to make this last. He wanted her to know that they were making love, not just having sex. He could feel that she was losing herself with him and wow did this feel so right to him.

The next morning, laying on their sides with Wade's arm over her curling her into him, he wakes up and sweetly kisses her on the cheek. She makes a light humming noise. All of a sudden, George bursts in without knocking. He literally can't believe what he is seeing. Zoe yells to George " What are you doing here?"

George says in anger " I should have never picked you up on the side of the road!" and then storms off.

She screams back" You were the one that said my feelings were for Wade!"

Wade waits a few minutes and then comments, " That guy really has terrible timing. How about if I go get us some breakfast while you get ready for work?'

Yeah,OK" replied Zoe.

When Wade returned, Zoe had a suitcase packed. His mouth just dropped with a lump in his throat. "Doc, where we going?"

"Not we Wade, ME! I have to get out of here. You, George, me everything is so messed up." Zoe said without looking him in the eye.

"We just made love. It was the most incredible night I have ever had. What do you mean George? I thought…" as Wade's voice trailed off.

"This was just sex Wade, why is that ok for you but not for me!."

Zoe was panicking. "Please just leave." So he did. For the second time within an hour a man that says he loves Zoe walks out.

Why did I cheat on her? Why could I not let myself be happy. Why would I do that to the only person I have ever cared about, much less loved.

Zoe looked down at the pancakes he made for her at Lavon's. Wade had put raspberries on top of the pancakes in the shape of a heart. He was trying to show her he was sorry for hurting her. But it is going to take more than that Wade , she mumbles to herself.

She called Brick and said she would be gone all weekend to the wedding and left for the airport. Flight leaves at 2:30pm

Wade can't concentrate at work. He asks if Wanda she can cover for him for a few hours. He still has Zoe's phone location app.

If I can get to her and tell her again that I love her then maybe she won't go to New York alone. Maybe she didn't hear me last night. Maybe she was drunk and I didn't realize it. She did have a bottle of wine with her on the porch but I remember that it was full, at least above the label. They had not had even a sip once inside the carriage house.

She stops at a little diner on the way to the airport, she has some time to gather her thoughts and make some decisions.

Wade's mind is racing. He really doesn't know what he expects to happen. He pulls in and sees her car. He walks into the diner. She is sipping lemon water, looking like she is daydreaming.

"Hey", he said.

"What are you doing here?" She asks.

"Doc, can I sit down?" She nodded.

" I can't let you leave until I know you heard me last night." said Wade. He takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. He wants to say this right and when it comes to Zoe Hart, his heart and his mouth aren't always on the same page.

"I am ready to be the man you saw. I am ready to be here for you in every way. I am a business owner now. I haven't even looked at another girl since. You are it for me. I love you Zoe Hart. Don't go to New York alone. Let me come with you." Wade said as he caresses his thumb across her hand.

"Wow" said Zoe, rather confused. "I have deep feelings for you too but you hurt me, you really hurt me and I don't know if I can be with you as a couple. I am going alone, I need time to think."

"Okay, well can we talk when you get back on Monday?said Wade.

"I called my old boss and I am staying in New York for the summer."

"What?" as he grabbed her hand, not wanting to let her go. "Doc, I will wait for you, no questions asked. You are the only one for me."

"Wade, thanks for making me feel better last night and finally telling me how you feel but I have to go." as she walked to her silver Jetta, unlocked the door and opened it. Wade caught the door and shut it back and asked her to look at him. She really didn't want to because she knew she would melt into his eyes. He gently turned her shoulder and looked into her eyes and lightly kissed her with each lip laced between the other. " I will never stop waiting for you Zoe Hart."

She couldn't say a word. Her heart was pounding over the gentlest of kisses. Her body was weak. Her mind was like scrambled eggs. Finally, she caught her breath and she was able to say goodbye.