"Ohhhh... That's right. I almost forgot. Your weekly date," V pretended to be offended, but Zoey knew better. "I'm being shunned for that sexy, hot neighbor of yours,"

"It's not a date," Zoey realized how defensive she sounded as soon as the words were out of her mouth.

"When are you going to give in and sleep with him?"

Hefting her bucket of cleaners, Zoey managed to lock the front door and roll her eyes at her friend while pretending not to have heard the question.

It wasn't the first time V had asked that particular question, and she knew it wouldn't be the last, so Zoey wasn't even going to dignify it with a response. Best friend or not, V had an uncanny ability to get on Zoey's last nerve with her constant pestering when it came to her friendship with Kaleb Walker.

It seemed as though once a week V would go off on a tangent about how Zoey and Kaleb were dancing around one another and should just give in and admit they wanted to sleep together. For the most part, Zoey managed to ignore her. The rest of the time she just made it worse by arguing.

There was possibly a smidgeon of truth to V's assessment of the situation, but Zoey wouldn't admit it. Ever since Zoey's marriage came crashing down around her, she and Kaleb had managed to rekindle the friendship they'd shared since middle school. Only this time, her best buddy managed to spark an irritating amount of lust that Zoey refused to acknowledge.

Considering there weren't many days that passed in which they didn't meet up for dinner or drinks, or just to hang out with a group of friends, Zoey was having a hard time ignoring this little infatuation she'd apparently developed for him.

As far as she could tell, there wasn't an ounce of reciprocation from Kaleb's side, so it made it a little easier to pretend he was just her friend. And she could've lived with that if her warped and twisted mind hadn't gone and conjured up a plethora of images that consisted of all of the things Zoey wanted to do to the man.

She had a feeling V's comments were to blame for that carnal slide show playing over and over again in her mind.

Ten minutes later, Zoey was pulling her truck into the gravel parking lot of Moonshiner's the one and only bar in their very small town. For a Thursday afternoon, it was packed, but the more the merrier, Zoey thought to herself.

It took a little persuading or flirting, whatever you wanted to call it to commandeer two bar stools, but they finally managed. Ordering their usual mango margaritas Zoey glanced around the dimly lit room, scoping out the familiar faces.

Most of the Thursday crowd was younger, getting a jump start on the weekend and choosing to battle it out at the pool tables. The dance floor was empty, but that wasn't unusual for this time of day. It usually livened up quite a bit after dark, but they were still a few hours off from that.

Feeling a tad surly after V's pestering from earlier, Zoey turned to her friend and threw out the one question she knew would get V riled up. "So, when are you going to focus on your own Walker man and lay off my nonexistent sex life?"

"My Walker man?" V almost sounded as though she had no idea what Zoey was talking about. Almost. "Who the hell are you talking about?"

Remembering the way V had all but jumped on Zane Walker the last time they'd all gotten together, Zoey arched an eyebrow in challenge. "Don't deny it. I saw the way you were eye fucking Zane the last time we were here,"

"Zane? Zane Walker Zane?" Vanessa laughed, and the sultry sound had half the bar turning to look at them.

"Do you know another one?"

The best defense is a good offense the phrase suddenly rang through Zoey's mind when she saw the look in Vanessa's eyes. It was about to be a free for all.

"Wait," V held up a hand, taking a sip of her drink. "You first,"

"Me first, what?" Zoey was confused.

"You admit to crushing on Kaleb, and then I'll tell you my story,"

"Oh, whatever," Zoey laughed. "I am not crushing on Kaleb or anyone else for that matter. But you, my beautiful friend have a bad case of the hots for one Zane Walker,"

V blushed immediately, but turned her head and avoided Zoey's knowing stare. It was obvious the woman had been lusting after Kaleb's younger brother, but Zoey had no idea for how long. Not that age mattered, but there was a six year age gap between V and Zane, which was surprising because her friend had never been the type to go for younger men.

"You can't deny it, V,"

When Vanessa's ears flamed red, Zoey knew she'd hit her mark. But, they both knew it was all in good fun because yes if either of them were to own up to it, both of them had the hots for one of the Walker brothers.

"Maybe not, but what about you and Kaleb?"

"What about me and Kaleb?" Zoey asked, forcing a smile. She did not like where this conversation was going, regardless of whether this was her best friend or not. She was not willing to admit whatever these strange feelings were that she'd developed for Kaleb.

"You have to admit he's hot," V grinned.

"Well, of course, he's hot," That wasn't a secret.

"Have you ever fantasized about what it would be like to kiss him?" V asked, getting pushy as always.

What was this? Eighth grade?

Hoping like hell the heat that suddenly infused her face wasn't visible, Zoey smarted off. "Hasn't everyone?"

The smile that beamed on V's face had Zoey stilling in her chair.

Oh God.

She was suddenly enveloped in strong, muscled arms and overwhelmed by the all too familiar, highly intoxicating scent of the one man she wished hadn't just heard that comment.

"So, what would it be like?" Kaleb's sexy voice whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickling her cheek seconds before his lips landed in a chaste, friendly kiss.

Shoving him off of her, Zoey laughed because if she didn't, she might just cry. "Oooh, gross! Boy cooties," Yep, definitely eighth grade.

"Boy cooties?" V asked, laughing. "That's what you scream when Kaleb Walker plants a kiss on you? Mercy, woman. I'm beginning to seriously worry about you,"

Zoey felt the heat flood her face as she purposely ignored Vanessa, all the while trying to pretend Kaleb hadn't actually heard their conversation.

"You're early," she told him when she finally managed to compose herself.

"I'm starving," He waved off the bartender when he strolled over. "Take me to dinner,"

"Nuh uh, buddy. It's your turn to pick up the tab," Zoey reminded him.

Before Kaleb could argue, Zane walked up and Zoey watched as V's entire demeanor changed. If she wasn't mistaken, it just got a lot warmer in the bar, despite the blast of cold air from the air conditioner.

Zoey smiled. Right. Nothing there.

"Ok, I'll take you to dinner," Zoey stood abruptly. "Here, Zane. Take my seat," Throwing a knowing grin at Vanessa and watching as her friend tried to shoot daggers from her eyeballs, Zoey laughed.

"You are so dead," V mouthed before Zoey turned away.

Truer words had never been spoken because as Zoey turned to walk out of the bar with Kaleb, she was hammered with a sudden, overwhelming urge to... kiss him.

end.