Chapter 4 Edward Knows Best

Zoe is working about 18 hours a day with 2 days off. She sleeps the entire first day or most of it. The second day is spent ordering groceries, taking a run and maybe catching up with a friend.

Today, George called. He apologized for not calling her after the wedding and letting her know he was staying in New York for a while. He told her he would love to see her and spend some time together catching up on all things Bluebell.

Zoe thought that was odd because when they were in Bluebell all they talked about was New York.

She agreed to meet him for dinner.

He told her to dress up cause he was taking her to Tavern on the Green. Meet at 6:30 pm.

Zoe was excited as she had never been there. George kissed her on the cheek and pulled out her chair. He was such a gentleman. They talked about Tavern on the Green and how this iconic landmark had been recently renovated and reopened. It is nestled in central park west and 67th street. George was like a New Yorker with southern charm giving her all the details like he was a New Yorker and she was the southerner. Zoe noticed that in a months time, he had lost most of his accent.

He ordered a bottle of pinot noir. "George, are we celebrating something?" she asked.

"Yep, new beginnings. I mulled over things that we both have said. Like us just being a fantasy or how I know I love you when we haven't even dated and kissed twice. I thought a date would be a good place to start." George had practiced what he was going to say like it was a closing argument. He was good at communicating. He was not good at making personal decisions. He hated to hurt people purposefully. Wade once had to teach him how to break it off with the ladies among other things. George was just really bad at it.

Zoe said, " So this is a date? Oh, ok"

They drank the bottle of wine and ate their incredible 4 course dinner.

Zoe asked where to next,wondering if George could he keep her on her toes?

They went off to walk in central park. Once in a little deeper the traffic noise was gone and the moonlight was romantic. They both talked about work and then each of them asked about Bluebell. Zoe had spoken to Lavon and he was dating Annabeth now. Both George and Zoe were happy that Lavon wasn't alone. George thought for sure by now that he would be back with Lemon. I mean they were together the last time George was in New York. Then Zoe asked George if he had talked with Wade.

"Wow talk about a buzzkill", George replied. "No I haven't talked to Wade."

"Why George, he is your best friend? Also, how did Dash get that picture of us from the wedding? Asked Zoe.

George didn't know what to say. He did not have a speech prepared for this. She came to New York to forget about Wade, to get over what he had done to her. Why did he have to keep coming up?

"George, answer me, the only way Dash got that picture was because you sent it to him. You wanted Wade to see it. It was 2 days after Wade and I, I" she was stumbling again," and you knew it. It's not like you, to want to purposely hurt someone, especially someone you have called your best friend for most of your life!"

"Zoe, why do you care? You slept with the guy and then yo couldn get far enough away from him Now 1000 miles away isnt far enough because the conversation keeps taking us to Wade. Yes, I sent the picture to Dash. I was proud to have you on my arm for once."

"Except you didn't" Zoe challenged him." We didn't go together, we didn't leave together. In fact,we were arguing that night as we are getting ready to do again. You know I talked with Wade about it. He thought what you wanted him to see and think we were off in NY livin the life that we had once talked about back in Bluebell.. But I straightened him out about it. It made me realize that you, George Tucker are not perfect."

"Zoe, can we not talk about Wade, we were having an enjoyable date. You wanna go to my place and watch a movie?" he asked, trying to change the subject..

" George, you can't smooth things over by asking me to watch a movie. Not tonight, I am still trying to understand my feelings. And, I am really upset that you would want to hurt Wade after everything he has been through."

George grabbed both hands and stared at her. She was thinking that he is a handsome guy. He was thinking that he needed to do something because he was losing her tonight. Damn Wade! So George did the only thing he thought he could to get her attention. He pulled her close, tightly wrapping his hands around her back. He kissed her like he hasn't kissed anyone before. She was kissing him back but not sure what she was feeling. He asked her again to come back to his place.

Once again, she said not tonight.

She gets out of the cab. He calls out to her that he would love to get together on her next day off. She waved goodbye.

Edward asks Zoe, "Was that your ex boyfriend? I noticed a twang."

Zoe laughed, and said no but he was one of the reasons we broke up. You see, I am messed up and for some reason, I treated Wade like a placeholder for George. Sometimes I even implied it. I even told Wade that I had feelings for George while we were dating. What kind of a guy stays with someone that says they have feelings for someone else?"

Edward lifted Zoes chin so he could look in her eyes and said,"the kind of guy that loves the girl he is with."

"Oh Edward, I made him feel second best. I made him feel unworthy of me. I am a messed up bitch from New York with Daddy issues, Mommy issues, abandonment issues. What else is wrong with me?"

She and Edward went on talking in the lobby for almost another hour about Wade, George, her mom, Ethan and Harley. She needed an unbiased conversation. She needed to think deeply about what she wanted, who she was.

As soon as she walked in the penthouse Wade texted her. He knew her so well. How did he always know the exact right time to call or text?

W- How are ya Doc? I know you told me that today was your only day off, What did you do?

Zoe was thinking, Oh shit. He knows I went on a date with George.

Z- Had dinner with a friend, ended the night talking with the doorman, Edward for over an hour.

W - I am here if you need to talk.

Z- It's all good. Edward is a good listener. What's new in Bluebell?

W- Tom and Wanda went on a few dates and they are as giddy as two 10 year old girls seeing Taylor Swift for the first time.

Z- Laughing emoji, laughing emoji.

W - Lemon got Gloriana to perform last night. Place was packed. Best night RJ has had since we bought it.

Z- That is amazing Wade.

W - Well you know Lemon is like a Bulldog. They probably did it so she would quit calling.

Z- I miss this.

w- I am sending you a link to one of their songs. Not sure if you've heard it. Let me know what you think. Oh and me too!

Z- Wade Kinsella are you sending me a 21st century version of a mix tape?

W- Basically, Talk soon

Zoe - okay night

W- Night Doc

Zoe sat listening to the song Can't Shake you by Gloriana for 30 minutes.

What is he trying to tell me? He has another lover? He said he would wait. Is he drinking all of the time? Or that he can't shake me no matter how hard he tries. Is he trying? God, I am so confused. Why can't Wade Kinsella just say what he means? Wait a minute, he did say what he means. He told me he loved me. He told me he would wait for me. He checks on me ,he keeps my schedule, he must listen very closely because I only mention my schedule in passing. Why did he have to cheat on me?

A few minutes later, George sends her a text saying how much he loved kissing her. She thought things would be easier in New York but that has proven not to be true. She doesn't answer the text, deciding he would believe that she was asleep and then an early morning at the hospital would buy her some time.

A few days had passed George called and asked her for coffee on her next met at a little cafe and sat on the sidewalk eating scones and drinking lattes. It was mostly small talk. Zoe asked George if he had heard about the new bluebell couple, Tom and Wanda and if he knew that Gloriana played at the Rammer Jammer last Saturday night. At first, George was shocked at both and excited for Wade and Lemon to be able to score Gloriana. Then he asked Zoe how she had heard. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know. Wade, it is always wade, he thought to himself. Zoe answered, " Wade texted the other night to tell me.I am glad he is realizing his dream." What could George do but agree…

As they left, George grabbed Zoe's hand and they walked a few steps holding hands before Zoe let go. "George, I have to get back to work. I have a long day ahead of me."

They went their separate ways.

She realized that she hadn't even thought about their kisses.

Returning to the fast paced world of a New York city hospital ER, she realized that she would never see these same patients again. More than likely she would not know if their treatment had worked long term. Everywhere she looked she thought of one of her patients from Bluebell. Her boss, the attending physician, saw that she was in deep thought and tried to bring her back to reality. " Can't hack it Dr. Hart?"

" Oh sorry Dr., this patient reminded me of a patient in Bluebell, Earl, that had blood poisoning right before I left."

How I have not asked Wade about his father? How cold and self centered am I?

"Dr, Hart, we don't have time for reminiscing. We have 32 patients backed up in the waiting room. Treat him and move on, got it?"

Zoe nodded.

As soon as he got off she texted Wade about his dad. She was relieved that he was doing well.