So sorry it took time. Thank you so much for all the reviews.

I don't know how to explain, but this story is tricky for me
please keep reviewing. It helps a lot.

flashbacks are in italics

I apologize for my English mistakes.

Enjoy

"I just think you're playing with fire," George commented

"I agree, they are going to kill each other," Lavon added

The four sat in the kitchen. they were supposed to talk about the wedding, but the conversation veered quickly to another topic ...

"Why are you being so negative? Everything is going to be fine, they are adults and they will have to deal with the situation," Lemon told them

Annabeth nodded "I agree, she's here for at least a month until the wedding, it is inevitable. We can't watch over them all the time. They have to control themselves"

"Yes, but you and your manipulations. You just made it worse ..." George sighed

"I don't regret and" Annabeth started to speak but was interrupted mid-sentence when they heard the door open and turned their heads towards it.

"Speak of the devil ..." George muttered

They watched Wade coming through the door with Zoe lying in his arms, "Great. Everyone is here" he muttered, and she rolled her eyes. The others stared for a few seconds, confused

"Okay ... I really didn't expect this..." Lavon was the first to break the silence

"Huh. It happened fast" Lemon joined

"Wait, what happened to your leg?" Annabeth noticed Zoe's bandaged ankle. "Put her on the couch," she cleared the way to the living room, Wade was right after her. He lowered Zoe to the couch slowly

"What did you do?" George asked as they all approached the living room

"I didn't do anything!" She protested

"The fuse box exploded" Wade crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Lavon and AB.

"What?" Lavon was confused "No, no, no. Don't tell me that you didn't warned her about the fuse box"

"Yes, you didn't say anything!" Zoe mimicked Wade and folded her arms, too, and joined his staring at the others

"We didn't know that it was necessary" Lemon didn't understand what the fuss was

"Well, I think this" Zoe pointed to her ankle "proves otherwise"

"I'm sorry, Zoe, it's my fault entirely," Annabeth brought ice and sat down next to her

"It's okay AB, it's nothing serious. I hope that by tomorrow it will be better" she reassured her friend.

"What were you fighting about this time?" Lemon asked curiously

"Who said we were fighting?" Wade answered and looked at Zoe

"You always fight when you're in the same room" George joined

"Not true," they said together

"Right. It's either screaming or uncomfortable silence" Lavon commented and both Zoe and Wade rolled their eyes

"Well, you seem to have everything under control, I'll go home," Wade told them

"You don't have to go if it's because of me" he heard Zoe say

"It's not-" He was about to continue but Lavon gave him a warning look

"Okay, I'll stay"

They were going to sit down when they heard a baby crying from the monitor.

"I'll go check her" Wade suggested and ran to the stairs

"Ah, yeah ... we're coming with you" George and Lavon hurried after him

"Really?" Lemon laughed and the girls joined

"Uh ... yeah ... that's good ... to learn about babies ..." George stammered and they fled the room

"Yeah ... right," Annabeth shook her head with a smile

"It was the fastest evasion in the history of evasions" They laughed

"Zoe, I'm so sorry again ..."

"I should really get angry with you. Not about my ankle ..." She gave them a sharp look

"Look, after what happened last time we felt we had to do something," Lemon said defensively

"I understand that, but exactly because of what happened last time and at all other times, you had to know that it's a complicated situation and I need to prepare for it mentally"

"Come on, you knew he was here. He lives here"

"True, but other times he found a way not to be here when I arrived or at all. It gave me some time. Now he didn't even know I was in town"

"In case you forgot, we didn't know you were coming ... well, except for George"

Zoe closed her eyes and inhaled a shaky breath "I know ..." She didn't want to admit it, but she was afraid, even terrified, at the thought of seeing him again.

"What happened?" Annabeth asked softly

"Well, I fell. And there he was ... We agreed that we would try to be friends"

"Wait, so you talked"

"A little. We agreed it would be best for everyone if we try to be friends ..." she said slowly

Lemon and Annabeth looked at each other.

"What?" Zoe asked

"What happened between you two, Zoe? It's been four years... We don't want to pressure you to tell us, you don't have to. But if you feel you have to try to be friends with him for us ... it puts us in a bit difficult position," Annabeth gently explained

"It wasn't the distance, right?" Lemon gave her a knowing look.

They watched her chewing her bottom lip and tucking her hair behind her ears.

"I ... it's not my place to tell. It's complicated"

"Has he done something to hurt you ..?" AB asked cautiously

"No, no ... it was nothing like that," she sighed, "Look, I'll tell you. Soon, I promise. But not today ..."

"You can at least talk about the article?" Lemon tried her luck

"Nope"

"Forget it, Lemon" AB got up and walked toward the kitchen. "Zoe, you're staying here tonight"

"Okay," she replied quietly

Meanwhile upstairs, Lavon held Daphne on his lap, trying to calm her

"She fell asleep?" George asked quietly

"Yes"

"Good. Now I can get angry with her father without worrying if she would hear" Wade snapped with frustration

"What have I done now?" Lavon furrowed His brow

"Not just you, both of you," he slumped on the floor and leaned against the door. He looked at George "Couldn't you warn me that she was here? I'm sure you knew"

"Why? So you would run away again?" George asked him directly

Wade drew in a long breath. Normally he would get a reasonable advance notice that she's coming and this would give him the chance to decide what he wants to do. But this time, he wasn't given such an opportunity. He needed time to be truly prepared to face her. He found a small solace in the simple truth that Zoe was probably as unprepared as he was.

"Look man, it wasn't done on purpose. She arrived this morning and obviously we were going to tell you. But that doesn't matter now, what the hell happened between you two and please save the excuse of distance, it doesn't work on us anymore "

"Ask her" he said indignantly. After a few seconds of silence he spoke again, "Look, this is between Zoe and me. If she wants to tell you, please"

"Okay ... so ... have you managed to talk?"

"Sort of. We reached a mutual decision to try to be friends"

"You did?" Lavon asked in amazement

"Yes. Mainly for you guys. We don't want you to feel you need to tread carefully around us thinking that one wrong move will set us off. And frankly, I don't want to pretend that nothing happened. We have a history, everyone knows this, and it's not going anywhere. And just because there is no future for us, it doesn't mean our futures aren't going to intersect"

"Well, we are here for you. And for Zoe too. So I hope you both get over yourselves quickly," George said,

"Yes, preferably by tomorrow because we're having a welcome home dinner for her and you have to come" Lavon said cautiously

"Well, I guess we're friends now," he rubbed His neck, "I'll be here'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Zoe woke up the next morning in Lavon and AB's guest room.

She touched her ankle and felt it was better than it was yesterday. She swung her legs above the bed and managed to step on her foot. She still felt a dull pain, but she could walk without help. She felt relief. She heard voices, AB and Lavon were arguing so she decided to find out what happened

"No, now that you have a child you can't make plans without thinking first," Annabeth tried to explain to him

"C'mon', AB. we can find a solution," he responded

"Good morning," Zoe said in a faltering voice, she started walking down the stairs

"Zoe! How do you feel?" AB motioned to Lavon to help her

"No, that's fine, I'm fine. I guess it wasn't so serious"

Lavon helped her get to the couch and she sat with her legs up.

"What was the argument about?" She asked

"AB can't come to the Sweetie Pie Dance" Lavon complained "You're coming, right Big Z?"

"What? No," she quickly dismissed the question

"Why not? If it's because you're alone I promise there will not be a problem to find you a date"

She gave a bitter laugh.

"Please, Big Z" he was almost begging

"Leave her alone. She has a good reason ..."

"AB" Zoe called with a strained voice, "It's not what you think"

"Okay," she replied, and proceeded to the living room with two cups of coffee in her hands, for her and Zoe. "Let's just say that the sweetie pie dance symbolizes other things for Zoe" She looked at Lavon

"What?" His forehead Creased

Just then the door opened and Wade walked in "good morning" All three turned their heads in his direction.

"Oh" Lavon murmured. Recognition dawned on his face

Zoe's eyes widened. Wade noticed Lavon's expression and stopped,

"Uh…what's wrong?" He rubbed the back of his head

"Nothing, come join us. Pastries and coffee at the counter," Annabeth said in her usual chirping voice

"Uh huh ..." Wade didn't believe her. "What is it?" He looked at Lavon

"We were just talking about the sweetie pie dance" Lavon said hesitantly

"Okay ... so?" He asked, confusion evident in his voice

"Nothing, you're going?" Lavon asked

"No," he replied simply and slumped on the couch on the opposite end

"You're not?" He sounded hopeless, his shoulders drooped.

"Why? Who else?"

"For starters, Annabeth refuses to come. And it seems that Zoe too"

His eyes darted to Zoe

"Wade was leaning against the wall; Lavon came to stand by his side.

"You know, if you weren't a coward, it could be you over there" Lavon pointed to Zoe and Jonah that were dancing together

"What are you talking about?" He replied, not moving his eyes from the dance floor

"Wade. Stop pretending. You know"

"Know what?" He raised his voice slightly and immediately regretted when some kids looked at him, "know what?" He asked again, this time in silence

"I heard Lemon and Annabeth. George also heard"

"What?" He threw his hands in the air

"Zoe likes you"

"Come on. You really believe the girls? You're crazy"

"Why is he crazy?" George joined them

"I told him that Zoe likes him"

"It's the truth, Wade. I heard Annabeth and Lemon talking. Zoe waited for you to ask her to the dance and when you didn't she was afraid of being the only girl in class without a date"

"Yes. So Lemon arranged for Jonah to ask her"

"I heard you talking about me," Lemon joined them

"We told Wade that Zoe likes him" George was stammering, afraid of her reaction

"Arrrg!" She Grunted "You are such idiots" she snapped at them. "But you" she pointed to Wade, "You're plain stupid. Why didn't you ask her to the dance?"

"I don't know, I didn't think she likes these things. We used to make fun of it in previous years. And Lately I felt she was distant"

They had barely spoken in the last 2 weeks. He didn't know why, and when he asked her she waved it, saying she was nervous because of the upcoming exams. He understood and didn't push her. But it was hard for him. There was emptiness in his life. A void that was unable to be filled by anyone but her.

"Because she was waiting for you to ask her. And when it didn't happen it hurt her ... so she preferred to get away" Lemon told him

Being distant from Wade was hard on Zoe too. They were best friends. But lately it was harder. She missed the tingly feeling she would get when his arm would accidently brush against hers, she missed studying with him. She missed laughing with him.

"Wade, she likes you. Trust me" Lemon said seriously

He himself felt a change recently.

Sure enough he had gotten goose bumps when they touched accidently. His heart would race a thousand miles a minute, the feeling he couldn't breathe around her had been very frequent. He tried to play it cool but inside he was a mess.

He swallowed hard. "I'll be back soon"

He waited for the song to end. When it ended he walked in the dance floor towards Zoe and Jonah.

"Zoe. Uh ... I need to talk to you"

"She is busy" Jonah interrupted

"Please Zoe. This is important," he ignored Jonah. Zoe saw something different in his eyes and wondered what to do. It didn't take long though. She decided, "Jonah, I'm sorry"

She pulled Wade's hand and they got out of the room.

"What is so important that you just have to tell me now?" She folded her hands and looked him straight in the eye

"Do you like me?" He asked me directly

Her eyes narrowed "You're my best friend. Of course I like you"

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"No," he opened them again and put his hands on her arms, "do you like me?"

"What? Wade ..." a flush crept up her face, she looked down.

"So...?"

"Where did you hear that?" She asked

"Huh ... Lavon, George ... Lemon" He rubbed the back of his neck nervously

Her eyes widened, "I'll kill her" she murmured quietly. He heard. His mouth curved into a smile

"Zoe, answer my question," he watched her biting her lower lip, hesitating.

"Yes" she replied, her eyes glinted. He grabbed her face and kissed her

"Really?" He asked as he pulled back, still holding her face in his hands.

"Really" she giggled and pulled him for a quick kiss

"I like you too" he admitted

"Really?"

"Really"

They both smiled as they remembered that day. It took them a few seconds to realize that Lavon and Annabeth were staring at them. Wade was quick to say something

"Well, I have to go to the Rammer Jammer. Just wanted to say that I can't stay long tonight"

"Why not?" Lavon asked

"I ... I have something. I'll be there, but for a short time," he took a cupcake from the counter on his way out and ran out the door.

"Can we go back to my problem now?" Lavon begged

"Okay, wait a minute. Why can't you go?" Zoe asked AB

"She doesn't want to"

"Hey, don't twist it. The dance is this Saturday, Lavon must be there as the mayor. And since the whole town will be there, I need to stay with Daphne here"

"I can watch her" Zoe offered "That's it, your problem is solved"

"Zoe ..." Annabeth insisted

"What? You're going. That's it, it's been decided. I won't even charge you" she smiled.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Everyone sat around the table, enjoying the dinner.

"So Zoe how is work?" Annabeth asked

Zoe looked at her, considering her question. She didn't want to talk about it so much.

"It's fine," she said blankly

"No talking about work, we can finally talk about the article?" Lemon tried

Zoe smiled "What's there to say about it?"

"Oh, excuse me. There are so manyyyy" She stretched the last word when Annabeth kicked her foot. "AB!"

"Let's leave it for now and let Zoe decide when she wants to talk about it" Annabeth said

"No, that's fine" Zoe reassured her. "The magazine is sold all over New York, let's finish with it. So… what do you want to know?"

"Uh ... sorry to interrupt ... but I have to go," Wade stood up; he didn't want to sit and listen to this conversation. "Zoe, uh ... welcome home"

"Thank you" she gave a soft smile.

Wade was out of the door in a second, it looked like he was running for his life. Everyone noticed it, but no one said a word.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Zoe came home late. Her foot was fine and she felt she needed to be alone for a while. She was about to get into bed when she heard the sound of a car engine. She hobbled to the window and pulled back the curtain a little. She saw Wade getting out of the car, alone. He turned his head to the carriage house and she quickly shifted the curtain back, but it was too late. He saw her looking at him.

She took a deep breath and decided to go out.

"Can't sleep?" He asked, leaning against his car.

"I was just about to go to bed when I heard your car," she went down the stairs and walked towards him. She stopped when they were close enough to hear each other but far enough to not touch.

"I'm sorry"

"It's okay," she paused, "Long night?" She asked, not knowing what she wanted to hear

"You could say"

She nodded.

"Wade" She took a deep breath

"What?" He asked. Again there was silence between them.

She gathered up her courage and finally spoke up "Do you ... do you hate me?"

She did not have the nerve to look at his face when she asked.

Wade narrowed his eyes and stared at her as a couple of tears streamed down her cheeks.

"No, I don't" he replied, and she could feel how hard it was for him to answer this question.

She wiped away the tears with her fingers. "Okay. I'll go now ... Good night" She turned and hurried into the house. All this time he didn't take his eyes off her.

"I love you too much to hate you" he whispered

But she couldn't hear.