The three days since Nick had gone back to America passed in a hazy fog of wine and going to work; it had became her new routine – drink until she blacked out and then get up again and go to work, it was becoming harder to disguise her bloodshot eyes, the shaking hands and lack of sleep.
"Zoe?" Tess called softly, beckoning the younger woman into her office "are you ok?" She asked, sitting down behind her desk and gesturing for Zoe to sit too. She'd noticed the change in her behaviour for the last few say he shakes and sunken face, Connie had noticed too and the last thing she wanted was Zoe losing her job.
"Not really Tess" Zoe admitted to, seeing no point in lying about what was so blatantly obvious. She took a deep breath and looked her I'm the eye "he's gone, again" she whispered, she'd tried so hard to drink herself into oblivion and forget Nick Jordan, even thinking about him was painful.
"Nick?" Tess looked confused.
Zoe nodded, tears building up in her eyes "he's got a girlfriend in America, she called said she might be pregnant and her upped and left"
"Oh, Zoe" Tess ,over around her desk and pulled the younger woman into a hug "it's going to be ok though, you'll get through it" she sighed, rubbing her back comfortingly.
"I don't think I will Tess" Zoe shook her had "it as hard enough the first time, and now, he's gone, again. He's got a younger model who can give him what he wants. It's killing me" she admitted. She stood up and ran a hand through her hair "I need a cigarette" she announced, leaving the office and straight for the exit.
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Max smiled as he approached his usual smoking haunt, Zoe was there; her head tilted back against the wall, her eyes closed and a cigarette dangling from her fingers. He stood beside, probably closer than he should have been and took the cigarette from her hand, taking a drag if it. "Hey…" He mumbled, surprised she hadn't reprimanded him for taking her cigarette.
Zoe smiled weakly in response, opening her eyes to look at him "Hi" she replied, hoping all the conversation would end, the only thing she could think about was going to the pub and ordering a drink. They stood in an awkward, yet understanding silence and it was only then that Zoe felt comfortable to let the tears fall.
"A- Are you ok?" Max asked, reaching out to wrap his arm around her, worried by the sudden tears that had started to fall.
Zoe herself wasn't entirely sure why she was crying "I'm fine, honestly. I just don't understand how you can even look at me after what I done" she whispered.
Max pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head "you need to take your chance at happiness where you can find it, and if Nicks that chance, you have to take it" he whispered, his head still resting on top of hers.
"That's just it though, he's left me" Zoe replied through the sniffling and tears "he's gone back to his pregnant girlfriend in the states" she told him, resting her forehead against his chest as he hugged her "I'm such an idiot Max, I've let him mess me up all over again"
Max lifted her chin up, forcing her to look at him "you're not messed up Zoe, you just have to move on" and with that fleeting statement her bent his head towards her and kissed her, allowing to take whatever comfort she needed from him.
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Not sure if I want this to be Zick or Zax, leave me your thoughts :)