Chapter Five

After all was said and done the true party began. Lance had had more than a few and Zoë had given in to the hottest bartender in the west. Just keeping him company she told herself. It was truly a treat to sit on the other side of the bar and watch the show. He was cute and he had some great moves. He made conversation with her, congratulating her on the award.  

Two hours had passed when Lance found her. She was leaning pretty hard on the bar but was too busy flirting to care. He pulled her back to see how out of it she was. When she snatched away from him he stumbled back. Going for her again she stood up to defend herself. She pushed him back after he landed against her. Charlie was only a few feet away when she heard Zoë scream. The bartender slid out from behind the counter to break up the fight.

"Call your hound off of me before I whip his ass" Lance threatened her from where he was struggling to get the guy off him.
"Just try it..." Zoë slurred out. Charlie pushed her into the back room with Sean and Lance following. The room was in such disarray they barely noticed the scene. Nik D made her rounds to make sure the guests were having a good time. Peering over to the side office to make sure no more disturbances could arise.

"Leave us alone." Zoë told the makeshift bouncers in a huff.
"I don't think so." Charlie said knowing that she was drunk and they would just fight again. Zoë shot her a look of need filled with angst to make her back off. Against her better judgment she granted her friend's wish.
"I will be right outside that door Bass, watch your step."
"Fuck you!" he yelled at Sean. When they left Lance shook his clothes off and sat down. She wiped her mouth and stood over him trying to make sense of it all.

"You know this is not working out."
"I know." He grumbled.
"Maybe we should just call it quits for a while."
"If you think it's for the best."
"Well I really do." She stuck to her guns.
"Fine... Then it's done." He got on his feet and went for the door.
"Lance..." she said just above a whisper. Turning so he could see her face he made the effort to look back. She made eye contact and tried to swallow hard wondering what was right and what was wrong.

"What is it Zoë?" She said nothing, only looked at him. "Don't act shy now, I think you dislocated my jaw." He said palming his chin painfully.
"I’m sorry, but that’s not… It's not that...”
"Then what?"
"I know who she is..." His face changed and he stiffened his shoulders.
"She who?"
"Go out with some dignity..." she shook her head dropping her eyes.
"What is your point?"

Zoë straightened herself and walked up to him. He stood on the defense and waited for her.
"I just want to know how long it's been going on."
"Why does it matter?"
"Because, I want to know where I went wrong with you don’t I deserve at least that much? Do you like her better than me?"
"It's not about that." Lance dropped his head a bit. The once strong independent woman was now a confused girl. There was a knock on the door as it opened.

"Sorry, but there is someone out here" Charlie peeped her head in.
"Who?" They both said at the same time. The door flew open and a well built black woman stepped in.
"Who is Zoë?" she demanded. Zoë stepped forward unshaken by the oddity of the moment.
"I'm Zoë, you must be Latonya..."
"Damn skippy. Now what is Lance doing here with you?"
"He was just about to answer that question himself." The room turned toward Lance whose face was as pale as a sheet. He flashed a smile and went over to Latonya trying to pull her into a hug.
"Tony what are you doing here baby?"
"Lance you have about five seconds before I kick your ass. I was at home chilling and some girl calls me saying yous-a-low down dirty dog... And I guess she was right.” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked over at the white girl again.  
"What the hell Zoë you called her!" He shifted on his feet again.
"Don't look at me why, would I want someone to come kick my ass." The truth was there as they all searched for their heads for the culprit.
"It was me..." Charlie stepped forward regretfully. "I wanted Zoë to quit being so stupid and that was all I could think to do. So I called Tony." They listened and understood, time seemed to stop.
"Lance let's go." Latonya directed him to the door. Her teal leather skirt swished as they left the room.

After a few minutes Charlie went to Zoë who was sitting on the edge of the chair in the center of the room.
"Are you mad at me?" She asked kneeling in front of her.
"No, you did what I would have done… if I hadn't been in the middle of being in it..."
"That's a mouth full." They both gently laughed and went for the door.
"What a night.."
"So are you planning any revenge toward Mr. Bass?"
"Are you kidding... Did you see that girl she is going to beat his ass. That's more than enough for me."
The elevator door stopped and reopened. Sean the bartender seemed to be leaving for the night. All Zoë could do was smile ear to ear as he stood close to her.


Late the next day Zoë made her way to ‘South’ and found Charlie was already there. The sunglasses at 7pm hid none of the night before. Taking her place behind the bar she started her check list and ignored Charlie's prying questions.

"Zoë delivery!" Terry called placing a vase of roses on the bar. They jumped for the card and Charlie seemed to win by an inch. She opened the small envelope and pulled it out. Her wide grin faded fast and she put it down by Zoë. Walking away she gave no hint as to the cards contents.
"What is it Charlie, Sean not a poet?" She laughed thinking of the boy probably still asleep in her bed. Picking up the card where Charlie had left it she read it fast, then again. Her smile too faded as she read it four more times shaking her head in disbelief.

~Zoë,
I'm sorry about last night.
Latonya is gone and I need to know
where you stand. I will be true to you
forever. I've learned my lesson.~

She was frozen as his voice came into her head. He was right behind her as she read it under her breath.
"Now tell me. Is your heart still mine?"

The End