Chapter 3 Appletini

Zoe started work at the hospital earlier in the week. Things were so fast paced. Seeing 30-40 patients a day for serious illness or injury, This was not poison oak, snake bites and strep throat. She forgot how much she loved the action. This was the ER, Saving lives, what she was born to do.

Adam called and they set up a time to meet for drinks next week with Gigi and her boyfriend of the month.

It had been 2 weeks since the wedding. 2 weeks since she had seen George or heard from Wade. Ummm..

They met at this swanky little bar called The Velvet Room.

She asked the bartender for an appletini, like Wade would make for her on special occasions. It didn't have Wade's kick at the end. He would never tell me what he put in it but it had some spice in it. While waiting on her friends, she took a pic of her appletini and sent it to Wade.

No response, he must be working. She waits a few minutes and sent him another text.

Z- Not as good as yours (with a winky face)

Her friends arrive. Gigi is her usual bubbly self and the new boyfriend is obnoxious right off the bat. Making sure we all knew how much money he made. Adam waves, as sees them sitting on the swanky purple velvet couches. He grabs an imported beer and comes and sits down by Zoe. The four of them are talking about work happenings and subway stories. Soon Zoe is on her 3rd appletini. ( Wade had still not responded) The idea of staying sober is quickly vanishing. She starts coming on to Adam, rubbing his leg, kissing him. He is liking this Zoe, drunk Zoe is fun. Gigi and the current guy are at the bar doing shots. Adam starts moving his hand up Zoes mini skirt. At first she lets this happen and then he whispered something in her ear that didn't sit well. Zoe felt like 10 below zero had just hit her in the face.

She says she really has to go because she has to work at 5am. Adam left feeling he was short changed. Zoe hails a cab and goes back to the penthouse. While in the cab she checks her phone, still no text from Wade. Zoes thoughts go from adam to Wade quickly.

Forget about your hillbilly bartender. Who the hell does he think he is just because he's some city slicker with Cartier watch and a trust fund?

Wade said he would wait for me but he can't even answer a frigin text. Maybe he is still working but he used to have his phone in his front pocket. He would feel it buzz.

Z- R U Working? I have a question.

W- Just closing up. Whatcha need? Ask away

Z- Where did you get the picture of me and George at the wedding?

W - Dash's blog. Wanda showed it to me.

Z- Can we talk?

W- What is there to talk about?

Z - Please I need to talk to someone

W- You need to talk to someone, or you need to talk to me?

Z- I will call you at 2am to give you time to get home. Hopefully you will answer

Wade's stomach is churning and feels sick to his stomach.

Is she with Golden Boy? What does she need to talk about?

Why can't she see that I have changed. I would never cheat again.

I miss her sassiness, her fire, her spirit. Should I answer the phone?

The phone rings 3 times before he swallows hard and says,

"Hey Doc"

"Wade I am sorry it is so late but I needed to talk something out with you."

"OK" he says.

"Why did you cheat? I know you said you were drunk and scared but that isn't the reason is it?" she asks reluctantly.

" I thought you were going to leave me if I didn't win the Battle of the Bands or if I didn't make something more of myself than a bartender. Most of this was subconscious, ya know. I thought about it for the 3 months since it happened and alot for the past 2 weeks since you left for New York. You kept telling me or showing me that you had still had feelings for George. You almost kissed him on Halloween even though we were supposed to be monogamous with me, then after YOU asked me to be your boyfriend, once again you both admitted on the houseboat that y'all still had some feelings for each other. Once again, I swallowed my pride and stayed with you. I am not saying this was your fault. I am just saying you made me feel not good enough. You kept saying you would be there for me but something or someone else always came before me. Doc, you said you believed in me and I just went batshit crazy and got all drunk and kicked George out of the band and I don't want to think about the rest of it. I am so sorry but I know sorry isn't enough, I am sorry if I am rambling or not making sense." Wade finally took a deep he said was true. He continued, "My therapist said I have to believe in myself and we have been working through why I didn't. I am learning that only I am responsible for how I feel so I am work in progress."

"Therapist, really? Wade, thank you. I have a lot to work through but I really needed to understand your state of mind. I hope that picture of me and George didn't hurt you. You" and then Wade cut her off but his voice was low and soft, "Doc, if you want to be with Golden Boy then I hope you are happy."

"Wade have you seen George?" she asked.

"How would I have seen him? He is still in New York. looks like they asked him to do some consulting for a few months. I guess you guys will have lots of time to talk about your love of New York" Wade said just a little sarcastically, like he said he was working on it.

"Wade please don't put up walls.I thought we were in a pretty good place when I left. The night before I left was amazing. I have never felt so loved. Then you followed me to the diner, we were texting some. I just thought you said you would be waiting, now you are telling me you hope that I am happy with another man." her voice trailed off.

"Well I don't know if I should wait when you are with one of my best friends. I am not sure mine and George's friendship can't stand much more." Then he paused " Zoe I will always be here for you as a friend but I cannot get my heart broken when you are with my best friend. I will talk to you and help you through your issues. I know that my decision that night probably quadrupled your abandonment issues"

"Wait, what? Zoe was trying to piece together everything he said. "Friends? George? I am not with George. We were actually arguing just seconds before that picture was taken. He came to my moms penthouse that night and we talked a few minutes and then he kissed me." Zoe said very abruptly. " I mean how could he say he loved me? We went to New Orleans one time and had a great time. He broke up with Lemon and then almost instantly got back with her and led her to believe he was perfectly happy getting married. I mean what kind of guy does that? We love the same movies and New York and alot of the same people, like you and Lavon. "

Wade was listening. He loved listening to her even though some of the things she was saying was killing him like when she said she and George kissed.

"Zoe, how did you feel when he kissed you?" Wade wanted to know if there were any sparks, any fireworks.

"It was nice." she answered.

"Nice huh? Zoe I need to go, but you need to think about what you want from your boyfriend. I am not trying to put ideas in your head. Take some time to understand the differences between me and Tucker. I don't mean money, jobs etc. I feel like we are both successful in different ways. I mean how each of us make you feel. Since you aren't with Tucker then maybe I still have a chance but I don't want to presume. You take the lead Zoe Hart, now go get an hour or two of sleep so you dont kill someone in the ER." said Wade trying to lighten things up at the end.

"Night Wade thanks for staying up for me" whispered Zoe.

"Night Doc"

Wade was smiling as placed his cell phone on the nightstand.

She wasn't with George, Maybe there is still a chance for me and Zoe. She described his kiss as nice. I don't think she ever has described one of our kisses as nice but maybe she has. Our kisses always have meaning to me anyway. Definitely more than nice.