The party was in full flow. The restaurant has been in on the surprise, Zoe was shocked nobody had managed to let slip, there were plenty of people around them who couldn't keep a secret.
She still wasn't feeling great, she'd managed to get something to eat but the glass of wine she'd been given didn't go down well. A bug was the last thing she needed right now.
"Hey Zo, are you having fun?" Linda asked her.
"I'm having a great time, thank you for all this." Zoe hugged her.
"Just fulfilling our bridesmaid duties! Robyn had the initial idea." Linda told her.
"How you feeling about the wedding?" Linda asked.
"I can't wait." Zoe said smiling.
"Aw that's great Zo, you're so good together, I can't wait for it, I just want you to know, my offer is still there whenever you decide." Linda said.
Zoe went quiet.
"What's the matter, have you changed your mind?" Linda asked.
"Oh no, not at all." Zoe told her. She'd wanted to avoid this conversation, she was confused about something but she couldn't put her finger on it.
On the other side of the room,Max was making the most of people buying him drinks. One of the waitresses seemed to have taken a shine to him, she was chatting to him when he suddenly recognised her.
"Don't I know you?" He asked.
"I was wondering how long it'd take. I'm Amy, I was in the hospital a few weeks ago." She smiled at him seductively. "You look even better out of uniform, let me know if there's anything you need." She walked away, not before grabbing his bum.
"Max! What the hell was that?!" Robyn had seen the incident. Luckily Zoe had been engrossed in conversation and hadn't noticed.
"She was in the ED a few weeks ago, she was flirting with me then, I've told her before I'm not interested." Max told his sister, "I must just be irresistible to her!" He laughed.
"Well just keep her out of Zoe's way, she won't be happy." Robyn told him.
"Zoe's not the jealous type Robyn, she'll think it's funny." Max said, "I'm just going out for a smoke."
Max went outside the restaurant and lit his cigarette. He was soon joined by someone. It was Amy.
"Are you following me?" Max asked.
"Maybe." Amy winked.
"Amy, please, I'm getting married." Max told her.
"So? Enjoy yourself whilst you can!" She told him, moving closer to him, "you know you want to."
"No Amy, I don't, It's not attractive throwing yourself at men you know." Max told her.
"I guess if I see something I want, I just go get it." Amy went to kiss Max.
"What the hell do you think you're doing with my fiancé?!" Zoe had witnessed everything.
Max was startled, "Zoe, it's not what it looks like." He told her.
"Oh come on Max you know you'd have done it." Amy said smiling at Zoe, "wanted a younger model he said."
Zoe walked over to Amy and spoke calmly. "I don't know who you are but I suggest you get back to your job and leave Max alone, otherwise I'll be having a word with your boss advising him of your slapper status and how you've been harassing my fiancé, do I make myself clear?"
Amy moved away, "I'm sorry, please don't tell anyone, I need this job!" She cowered and ran inside.
"Zoe I'm sorry," Max started, "she wouldn't leave me alone."
"So I see." Zoe said, "I can't say I blame her, there's something about you that draws people in." She kissed him. She knew Max would never hurt her.
"I think I'm going to get going soon Max, I'm not feeling too good, I've caught some kind of bug." Zoe told him.
"You have been a bit peaky the last couple of days, I think you should rest, I need you fully fit for the wedding!" Max said. "I'll say my goodbyes."
"No Max, you stay, enjoy yourself, the girls have gone to a lot of effort, we can't both leave, I'll be fine." Zoe said.
"Only if you're sure?" Max asked, Zoe nodded. "I'll call you a taxi whilst you say goodbye."
"Thanks Max, sorry, I feel worn out." Zoe told him.
She went inside to say goodbye.
"You can't leave, it's your party!" Louise said.
"I know, I'm sorry girls, I've been feeling lousy today, I need to get to bed I think." Zoe explained, "Max is calling a taxi, I've told him to stay though."
"Sure you're going to be ok?" Tess asked.
"I'm sure Tess, I'll see you at work tomorrow."
"Taxis here babe." Max came over.
"Ok thanks." Zoe said, "I'll see you all tomorrow. Linda I'll see you next week, thanks so much for this girls, it's been great."
Zoe said goodbye and kissed Max. "Text me when you're home." He told her.
"Will do." Zoe said.
She got into the taxi, giving the driver her address. "Can we stop at a shop on the way please? There's something I need to get."