THE ONE WITH JOEY AND ZARA.

♡

Zara can't stop smiling as she headed back upstairs to her apartment. As she opened the door, Monica sat up so quickly, knocking the tissues onto the floor from the bad cold she had.

"Oh, you're smiling," Monica noticed, practically melting. "Really smiling."

"You know?" Zara questioned, sitting down in the armchair as she didn't plan on catching her friends cold on top of her sprained wrist. "Of course you do."

Monica grinned at that. "I told him where you were."

Zara rolled her eyes, not knowing that Joey had come looking for her in the hope of something finally sparking between them. But, that smile was still on her face, where she was more smitten with the thought of them than she had thought she would be.

"You're still smiling," Monica pointed out, becoming more excited than Zara was. "See, I told you: choosing to be happy is always the best choice. Now, tell me everything. Did you love the flowers? Was it romantic? Did you kiss?"

"Flowers?" Zara questioned, stuck on that. "We kissed, but I didn't get any flowers."

"Oh," said Monica. "Still, you guys are back together, right?"

Zara's eyebrows knitted together, staring at Monica with a questioning look. "Mon, who do you think I kissed?"

Monica's eyes were wide, suddenly realising. "Oh, I don't want to answer that."

"Well, it's easy to figure out," said Zara.

"You kissed Joey!" Monica realised herself, gasping in shock. "Oh my God."

"You thought it was Chandler!" Zara responded, just as surprised. "You told him where I was? Chandler had flowers?"

"No, don't listen to what I said," said Monica. "Tell me what happened with Joey!"

"Only if you tell me what happened with Chandler," Zara replied, starting to feel her heart pound again. "Please, Monica."

"Well..." Monica sighed, knowing she had meddled now. "Chandler came here looking for you as he wanted to talk to you."

Zara's heart stilled. "About what?"

There was a tiny smile on Monica's face. "About the two of you getting back together," said Monica. "Chandler still loves you and he wants a second chance. He was adamant about getting you back. That this is now your time."

Zara was speechless; they had always tiptoed around the idea of them still being in love and the question of what if, but Chandler had never outright made a move so boldly. It had always been hushed conversations between them that were either interrupted or never got passed that initial fear that had once destroyed them.

And now Chandler had come looking for a second chance.

"But Chandler never found me," Zara said, quietly, as she started to realise. "He must have seen me with Joey."

Now her giddy moment with Joey felt bleak, leaving Zara trapped within her heart again when she had thought she had made a decision. But, Zara didn't regret anything with Joey — she loved him, and this was what she wanted.

Yet, the front door opened, and Chandler stood there. Even without him saying anything, Zara could see how heartbroken he was as he couldn't quite look at her. Monica was silent, looking between the two.

"Hey," said Chandler.

"Hey," Zara replied, hating the awkwardness.

"Joey just spoke to me," Chandler told her.

"He did?" Zara questioned.

"Yeah, he told me about your, uh, kiss," Chandler said, still not looking at her as she stood up, walking over to him so that they weren't talking across the apartment. "That you're gonna start seeing each other."

"Are you okay with that?" Zara asked.

Half of her wanted him to be, but the other half of her wanted him to confess what he had been trying to do. Zara wanted Chandler Bing to fight for her.

But she also wanted to be with Joey. Like always, Zara was conflicted.

Chandler finally looked at her, where it was silent for a long moment. Zara waited, and hoped, and wished, but she wasn't sure what for. Then, there was a hint of a smile on Chandler's face, which they both knew was fake.

"Yeah, I'm okay with that," Chandler told her. "Like I said: I can survive you and Joey being together."

It was disappointing, but Zara felt relief too. With her one arm that wasn't in a sling, she wrapped it around Chandler's neck to hug him. For a second, there was hesitation from Chandler, before his arms wrapped around her waist and his chin was on her shoulder.

"Thank you," Zara whispered.

Yet, while Zara had gained something special, she felt like she had lost something too.

♡

EPISODE SIX.

♡

Even though Zara and Joey planned on finally exploring their feelings together, they had made the decision to start with a date. Usually, Zara wouldn't wait this long (neither would Joey), but it didn't feel right when Zara had still been in a sling.

Now, while her wrist wasn't completely back to normal, she no longer needed the sling, so the last few traces of Derek were leaving. The man had tried calling, but his number had been blocked. Apparently he had come knocking too, where Ross had been the one to tell him to leave. For Zara, she was relieved that Joey, Chandler, and Toby hadn't been there.

Still, the wait was nearly over, where they had plans for their first date tomorrow.

Ross was seeing someone too as they were all at the window, watching him talk to an attractive blonde in shock.

"Hey!" Phoebe said, joining them. "What are you guys looking at?"

"Ross and the most beautiful girl in the world," said Chandler as Zara ignored him, though his eyes briefly fell on her, despite Zara being oblivious. "Well, second most beautiful girl in the world."

"Yeah, come to papa," Phoebe replied.

Ross came in then, grinning brightly as they were all looking at him in wonder at how he pulled someone like that.

"I know!" Ross exclaimed.

"Probably the only time I'll ever say this," said Monica. But did you see the ass on her?"

"How did you...? Where did you...? When did you...?" Chandler was trying to wrap his head around it. "How did you get a girl like that?"

Ross' eyes looked from Chandler to Joey before landing on Zara as if he wanted to return the question to them both, but he remained silent. Everyone knew about something brewing between Joey and Zara, where they were excited for them.

"Yeah, so, what is she..." Rachel said, clearly jealous. "Like, a spokesmodel? Aerobics instructor? What?"

"Oh, she's gotta be a model," Zara said.

"Actually, she's a palaeontology doctoral candidate," Ross told them. "Specializing in the Cenozoic era."

"Wow," said Zara. "Attractive and smart."

"Okay, but that's, like, the easiest era," Chandler said.

Rachel didn't look happy with Zara knowing how she felt.

"I've seen her at work," Ross said. "But I always figured..." He made a sound, still in shock himself before he sat down in the spare seat. "But, uh, I made her dinner. We had a great time and we're going out again tomorrow."

At that, Ross almost fell off his chair, losing his cool.

"Oh, just like Joey and Zara are!" Phoebe said in excitement.

Zara and Joey shared a smile, knowing they were both excited for tomorrow night. Though, Zara felt nervous — a good kind of nervous about taking that step further between them.

"Well, maybe she and her friends are having a contest to see who brings home the biggest geek," Rachel suggested.

"Fine by me," said Ross. "Hope she wins."

♡

Before their date, Zara was working on her second book again. They were all there but Joey, where Monica was in the bedroom on the phone.

"Should you be doing that?" Chandler questioned, leaning over the sofa to peer down to see that Zara had her latest chapter open. 

"It's healed," said Zara, holding up her hand as she moved it around again. "See."

"Still, you were told to take a break," Rachel told her. "You still have another week to go."

"They're right, you know," Toby added.

"I'm okay," Zara reassured them. "Seriously. It was just a sprain and I'd rather not be behind." Toby opened his mouth to argue, but Zara cut him off again. "If you say anything else, I'll tell you what's happening in this chapter and it'll spoil everything."

Everyone fell silent at that, not wanting to take the risk as Zara smirked, starting to type again. There was a little achiness to her wrist, but it was getting there. She couldn't go another day without writing, she missed it, but she also didn't want the stress of being behind.

"Yeah. Once again, I am sorry. Thank you. Bye."

As Monica came out of her bedroom still on the phone, Zara's eyes drifted upwards to land on her. They were all curious as she hung up, wondering what that was about.

"I just had to turn down a job catering a funeral for sixty people," Monica told them.

Rachel gasped. "Oh my God! What happened?"

"Sixty guests," Monica corrected for her.

"Oh, Rach," said Zara, tapping her friend's leg.

"So, uh, why'd you have to turn it down?" Ross questioned.

"Because I don't have the money or the equipment to handle something that big on such short notice," Monica explained. "There's no way."

"There's always a way," Zara said.

"What is with all the negativity?" Phoebe questioned. "You sound like Moni-can't, not Moni-can. Moni-ca." Then she shrugged it off, standing up. "Look, you have been playing around with this catering thing for over three years. Do you want to be a caterer or not?"

"I don't know," Monica answered.

"There you go! That's the spirit!" Phoebe replied. "Okay, now if you need money, I will lend you money. But just get moving!"

"Really?" Monica said. "Cause I need $500 for food and supplies and stuff."

"Okay," said Phoebe. "It's worth it if it'll get you moving. You haven't worked in months."

"Well, you're not working either," Monica pointed out.

"Yes, but I'm doing this," Phoebe said.

"That'd be great," said Monica, hugging her friend. "Thank you."

Zara wanted to offer money to help too, but she didn't want to take the moment away from Phoebe, who needed something too right now since she was unemployed.

"Hey," Joey came in then as Zara turned to face him. "Uh, Zara, you ready to go?"

"Yeah..." Zara said, feeling butterflies doing somersaults in her tummy. "Let me just go put my laptop away and get my jacket."

"Okay," Joey replied, sounding just as nervous too.

It was strange; even though they had crossed the friendship line, it was still a little odd to be doing this. Zara disappeared to her bedroom, surprised that three of her friends had followed, where Monica closed the door behind her.

"You guys made that so obvious," Zara pointed out.

"You're going on a date with Joey!" Rachel practically squealed.

"Thanks, Rach," said Zara. "I'm sure he's just heard that."

"How do you feel?" Phoebe asked.

"Nervous," confessed Zara. "But... excited too."

"Oh my God," said Rachel. "Do you think you guys will sleep together?"

"Rach, it's not like it's the first time," Monica reminded her.

"Thanks," Zara told them. "I don't know. It's a little... complicated still, so I'm just going with the flow. Whatever happens, happens."

"Right," said Monica. "In other words, you're gonna sleep with him."

Zara rolled her eyes at them, but she was grinning. Grabbing her jacket, the two were quick to leave, wanting to escape their friend's reactions with the teasing smiles and exaggerated byes.

Chandler, though, remained sitting on the sofa, staying silent on the matter.

"Oh, Chandler," Monica sympathised.

"Come on," said Toby, sensing he needed a distraction. "Let's go get a beer. You clearly need one."

Zara, though, had no clue to where they were going as Joey wanted to be the one to plan their night to surprise her. Of course, they were getting food, but he hadn't told her where.

As they found themselves outside of that very first bar that started everything, Zara turned back to Joey with a knowing smirk on her face.

"I wanted to take you somewhere fancy," said Joey. "But, I don't know, this kind off seemed the perfect place."

"I don't need anything fancy," Zara told him. "This is perfect."

Joey smiled at that, where they then headed into the bar. It had changed since Zara had last been there with the place redecorated, but it still caused the memories from that one night to blossom once again.

This time, they didn't sit at the bar, but they got a booth at the back. Between them, they ordered beer and dinner, where Zara knew to get her own bowl of fries.

"So," said Zara. "We're doing this."

"We're doing this," Joey confirmed.

"No regrets so far I hope?" Zara questioned.

"Not a single one," Joey reassured her. "Though, I'm a little worried about messing this up. I've never done this before, Zara. You're the first."

Zara smiled, reaching across the table to hold his hand. "I'm scared about messing this up too. Well, I have, multiple times."

"That doesn't matter anymore," Joey said. "We're here now."

"Yeah," said Zara. "But... you need to know..."

Zara's tooth sunk into her bottom lip, heart pounding in fear to tell him.

"You have feelings for Chandler too," Joey finished. "It's okay, you know. I've come to realise that you can't just stop loving someone and Chandler's always going to be important to you."

Zara smiled. "Look at you, you're a changed man, Joey Tribbiani."

"Not completely, I don't think," Joey replied.

"I don't know," said Zara. "When we first met, did you ever think you'd be here with me?"

"You were always the right person, it just wasn't the right time for us then," Joey said. "But I always think about going back to then. I thought that was my one chance, and I'd blown it before I even knew. Now, it seems the right time."

"Yeah," Zara agreed. "I think so too."

There was a smile from Joey as he squeezed her hand affectionately. This was new, scary territory for them both, but Zara always kept in mind that this was the first serious relationship for Joey.

Their food came as the two ate, laughing easily together. Zara even smugly stole a fry from Joey's plate, earning a scowl before she offered him one of her own. Maybe a part of Zara would always love winding Joey Tribbiani up.

Afterwards, they walked home holding hands, and Zara realised her cheeks hurt from smiling. The date hadn't been awkward — it had felt normal as if they should have been doing this all along. It was like dating her best friend, but it reminded her of dating Chandler too.

And Zara was trying not to compare them nor think about Chandler at all. This was their time and Zara wasn't going to ruin it. But Chandler was still there, a constant thought in her mind.

When they reached the hallway that split into their two apartments, they paused to look at each other. Joey looked as if he was going to say something, but Zara interrupted him with a spontaneous kiss.

Joey welcomed it with his hands on her waist, pulling Zara closer to him. This moment had been brewing between them for ages and they were finally there, where they knew neither could stop.

"Mine or yours?" Joey whispered.

"Yours," Zara replied.

The chances of anyone being at Joey's place were a lot lower and Zara didn't want to see anyone right now. She was right as they were quick to enter the apartment, relieved that it was just them before Joey was pulling her towards him again for a kiss, and then they were stumbling towards the bedroom.

Laying on his bed, Joey leaned over her as he looked down at her with a smile.

Zara's arms were hooked around his neck. "What?"

"I think I'm a little shocked still," Joey told her. "This is really happening."

Hearing that, Zara smiled too. "This is happening."

"You're so beautiful, you know that, right?" Joey said.

"I do," Zara replied.

Joey chuckled. "Of course, you do."

Zara kissed him again, feeling that maybe — and finally — everything was right.

♡

The next morning, Zara woke up in Joey's bed. It was strange feeling with his arm around her waist and his body pressed up against her back, but it still left Zara smiling.

As Joey woke, his lips were a gentle brush on the nape of her neck.

"I gotta go back to mine," Zara told him.

"No, you don't," Joey replied, pulling her closer to him.

"I have a meeting with my agent and publishers," said Zara. "I can't miss it."

"I don't want last night to end," Joey moaned.

"But it's not," Zara reminded him, turning her body so that she could see his face, finding it funny how sleepy he still looked with his hair askew. "This is just the start, Joey."

"So does that mean you'll be back in my bed tonight?" Joey questioned.

"Maybe you could be in mine," Zara suggested.

Joey smiled, leaning forward to kiss Zara again. Then, finally, Zara was getting up as she put on her clothes from the previous night just to get home.

When she left, she closed the bedroom door but found Chandler in his kitchen making coffee. Seeing him, Zara tried not to flinch as if she'd been caught.

While everything felt right between her and Joey, it now suddenly felt wrong, and that confused Zara.

Chandler cleared his throat. "Good date then?"

"Yeah, it was," Zara replied.

"That's cool," said Chandler, where his voice sounded false. "That's great. Absolutely wonderful."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Zara asked though she knew he wasn't.

Chandler nodded his head. "Yeah, yeah, of course, I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

Zara thought it was best to not answer that. Instead, she left to head back to her apartment, where Monica, Phoebe, and Toby were there. Of course, all attention was on Zara, but she was surprised to see Toby.

Monica grinned. "Look whose finally home!"

Phoebe gasped, pointing at Zara. "You and Joey did it!"

"Yeah, we did," said Zara with a wide smile.

"Oh my God," Monica said. "We have to go, but I wanna hear everything."

"As happy as I am for you, I really don't want to hear everything," Toby replied.

"What are you doing here?" Zara asked him. "I mean, it's a nice surprise, but don't you have work?"

"No, not today," said Toby. "Monica needed some help, so I owed her one. Hopefully, this makes up for the easy-bake oven."

"I might forgive him," Monica replied. "I'm still debating it."

"Right," Zara said, eyes flickering between the two, seeing something that they both couldn't quite see yet.

Phoebe laughed, most likely seeing it too. "I'm gonna have a fun day."

"Oh, but before we go, I just gotta know: it was good? You're happy?" Monica asked.

"Yeah, I'm happy," Zara answered, seeing her best friend smile with relief. "You were right: it's easier choosing love."

At that, Monica hugged Zara, which surprised her.

♡

EPISODE SEVEN.

♡

"I just walked in the bathroom and saw Zara naked," Chandler announced, coming into the opposite apartment as they all looked over at him. "It was like torture."

"You know," said Toby, who had joined them for breakfast. "That's my sister."

"You know, if we ever go to war and you're captured," Ross said. "You're in for a big surprise."

"It just keeps getting worse and worse," Chandler complained. "It's bad enough that I've been in love with Zara for pretty much years now, but now I have to watch her be with my best friend? And I know she knows. I don't get that Zara smirk that makes me question everything anymore. No, what do I get? I get pity. But it's still there. That weird energy is still there between us and it won't go. Why won't it go?"

Wow," said Phoebe. "That's a lot."

"Chandler, you're still in love with her," Monica told him. "It's gonna take time."

"But how much time?" Chandler questioned. "I thought I would be okay about this, but I'm not. It should be me with Zara, but I blew it."

"Don't you want Joey to be happy?" Ross asked.

"I do, of course, I do," said Chandler. "I just don't know if I can do this."

"Oh, sweetie," Rachel sympathised.

"And now," Chandler's rant continued as he jumped to sit up on the counter. "I have seen her naked."

"It's not like you haven't seen her naked before," Phoebe told him.

"Again," said Toby. "That's my sister."

"Yeah, I know," said Chandler. "But we haven't slept together in over a year, so I started to imagine that her body was covered in boils or something." Then he jumped down, unable to sit still. "But there are no boils. She's smooth. Smooth! I mean, it's Zara!"

Still frustrated, Chandler opened the door as he left.

"Wow," Phoebe commented as he left. "Could everyone see up his robe?"

They all agreed to that, but everyone was worried about Chandler.

♡

Zara felt like she was in a bubble — one she didn't feel like was going to pop any time soon. Though, being caught coming out of the shower by Chandler had been almost enough to burst that bubble.

As she was working on her book, Joey was a constant distraction as his arm was wrapped around her shoulders, peering down at her laptop. He was insisting he was helping, but he couldn't help but distract her with a kiss on her cheek or even her neck.

They'd been seeing each other for a few weeks now, but nothing had been made official. Even though it was fast, it was still slow enough for them.

"Joey," warned Zara, briefly pausing to kiss him on the cheek. "You do realise if I don't get this chapter finished, I won't be able to spend time with you tonight, which means we won't be—"

"Okay, okay," Joey said, moving away from her.  "No more touching you."

"You can still help," Zara offered.

Joey perked up at that. "What can I do?"

"Get me a coffee," Zara suggested. "Please."

Joey chuckled at that as he stood with Zara smiling after him as he disappeared to the counter. When he returned, Zara was touched to see that he had remembered the extra chocolate sprinkles she liked, but then again, he always had.

"Remember when I first moved in," said Zara as Joey sat down next to her again, trying to not touch her, so she could have the space to work.

"How could I forget that day?" Joey questioned. "I was so shocked to see it was you, but so terrified too. You were scary, you know, when you hated me."

Zara grinned at that. "I did enjoy it."

"I could tell," Joey chuckled.

"But you always remembered my coffee," said Zara, thinking back. "You were always the first to scramble to get it for me."

"You lived opposite me," Joey told her. "I was afraid you'd kill me in my sleep."

Zara laughed at that, knowing they had come so far since then.

"You moaned at me, but you're distracting yourself now," Joey pointed out.

"It's still your fault," Zara decided. "I can't concentrate with you here."

"You know, Chandler's out, so we could always head up there," Joey suggested. "I might be able to help you in some other ways, then I'll leave you to write. You can use my room, so they'll be no distractions from anyone."

"But you just brought me a coffee," Zara reminded him.

"Oh, I'm willing to sacrifice it," Joey replied.

Zara found a hint of a smirk on her face, willing to sacrifice a bit of time for him too.

♡

When Zara was done, she found Joey at their place. Greeting everyone, Zara moved towards him like a magnet, still finding it odd that they were openly acting like this around their friends.

Joey pulled Zara down onto the armchair with him, where they were sat close together with her legs over his lap. He kissed her with Zara smiling warmly.

"Did you get your chapter done?" Joey asked.

"Yeah, I did," Zara told him. "Do you want to know what happens?"

"Nope," Joey was quick to reply. "I'll read it once the book is complete. But, uh, did I help you concentrate?"

"Yeah, it might have helped," Zara said.

Joey grinned at that before kissing her again. The two were oblivious that Chandler had come out of the bathroom as he caught them, where he was quick to look away, heading to the kitchen with a permanent frown on his face.

"I still can't believe you guys are together," Phoebe told them.

"Honestly," said Joey. "Neither can I."

Joey was suddenly conscious of Chandler, feeling bad for him just like Zara did. It was hard being together around him, where they both knew he was upset and dealing with it in his own time. Plus, they both knew the signs of Chandler struggling.

But, Joey's eyes were on Zara again, smiling at her with so much joy.

As Zara looked around the room, she noticed Ross with his keyboard and her interest was piqued.

"Uh, what's going on?" Zara questioned.

"Ross is going to play for us," Toby told her. "Trust me, you're gonna love it."

Now Zara really was interested. She sat up, where Joey's hand fell to her hip with the two still close on the chair together, but now Zara was eagerly waiting for Ross to start playing.

"Okay, guys," Ross eventually called out to them.

"All right, bring it on, you," Chandler replied, perhaps as eager as Zara was.

"Oh, I wish I had a camera," Zara said.

They all crammed around with Joey and Zara still on the armchair, then everyone else was squeezing on the sofa or even standing behind it. There were a lot of them now, Zara realised, with Toby hanging out with them a lot now.

"Here we go," Ross said.

Zara watched as Ross inhaled before he played a single note, keeping them all on their toes.

"You know, I've never played my stuff for anyone before," Ross told them. "So it's important that you understand it's about communicating very private emotions."

They all nodded, not sure how to respond to that.

Again, Ross played the one key.

Zara's had to pressed her lips together tightly to prevent herself from laughing.

"You should think of, um... my work as wordless sound poems," Ross said.

"That's so deep," Zara commented, starting to click her fingers. "Snaps for Ross."

"If you're mean, I won't play," Ross told her.

Zara stopped as she held up her hands in surrender. "I'll be quiet, I promise."

Ross tried again as they all believed he was finally going to play.

"That's what—"

"Oh my God," Chandler cut in. "Play!"

That silenced Ross as he started to play. Though, Zara wasn't expecting a funky tune to start playing without Ross even touching the keys. Following that, he pressed a key that triggered a dog's bark, which was followed by the sound of a cow.

Zara was so speechless as it continued with her eyes wide, stuck on Ross as he played. As it continued, Ross seemed to play every sound possible. It was the facial expressions too that caused Zara to crack, where she tried to hide her built-up laughter with her hand covering her mouth.

And then it finished with an explosion.

Zara had promised to be quiet, but she had the urge to start clicking her fingers again. She couldn't even bring herself to look at anyone else as she knew she would crack.

"Boy, you know, th-that was, uh... terrific," Monica was the first to comment.

"Really..." Chandler continued. "Bitching."

"Wow!" Phoebe reacted, grinning. "It was so... wow!"

"Really?" Ross questioned. "I mean, really?"

"Oh, yeah," said Rachel. "I mean, you should... play in public."

"Yeah, could you teach me?" Joey asked. "I really liked the dog bark, it sounded realistic."

Zara's nose screwed up, knowing Joey was being serious, but it was cute.

"Wow! Thanks, you guys," Ross replied, ecstatic. "Yeah, I could show you a thing or two, Joey."

"I'm sorry," said Toby. "I'm starting to remember why we were always single in high school now."

That caused Zara to break as she started to laugh, unable to help it.

"You know what," Ross said. "You two are not invited when I play next."

"Oh, no," said Zara. "Invite us, please, you're so talented."

"No," Ross decided.

"Come on," Zara encouraged. "I truly loved it. Play another one for us."

"Well, I could do..." Ross replied, giving in too easily.

"Nice one, Zara," Chandler commented, though she could sense the sarcasm.

"Oh... I left my helicopter sounds on another disc," Ross realised, having stood up as he was hurrying to the front door. "I'll be right back, okay? Oh... this is so nice. I mean, I am so..."

But Ross couldn't finish whatever he was saying as he closed the door, leaving them all staring after him.

"Oh God bless my dad for soundproofing the basement," Monica said.

"Count yourself lucky," said Toby. "Ross wanted to be in a band, but I couldn't do it. He still thinks I rejected him over jealousy of his talent."

"Now I want to see you play together," Zara said.

"I can't believe I ever let him touch me with those fingers," Rachel said, horrified herself as she perched on the edge of the armchair next to Zara.

"What are you guys talking about?" Phoebe replied. "I loved it! It was so moving. Plus, it's so different from the stuff you usually hear."

"You mean music?" Chandler questioned.

"I thought it was pretty cool," Joey added.

"It reminded me of teaching again," said Zara. "That's something my kids would play at our annual talent show."

♡

"So, will you be talking about me tonight?"

Teasingly, Zara rolled her eyes as she briefly looked over at Joey, seeing that hint of a smug smile on his face as he knew what the answer would be. Zara was meeting her old work friends for a catch-up that night, so she was currently getting ready.

"I don't know," said Zara. "I think there's a lot more to talk about than just my boyfriend."

Zara was somewhat famous now, which was strange. As an author, everyone seemed to know your name more than your face, which was a relief, but Zara hadn't been quite ready for there to be a global interest in her book. Right now, she was breaking records that Zara never imagined even reaching.

"Boyfriend, huh?" Joey picked up on that, which only made his grin widen.

Zara was quick to look away, focusing on her make-up again. "I don't think I said that."

"You did," Joey told her.

"Well, are we?" Zara questioned, meeting his lingering gaze again. "Together like that?"

Joey stood from where he was sitting on her bed as he reached her. They were so close as Zara looked at him, unknowing what Joey was going to say. A part of her still expected this to be a cruel trick — that something would go wrong.

"Yeah," said Joey. "I love you, so why wouldn't you be my girlfriend?"

Zara smiled at that, feeling her fears ease.

"Is that what you want?" Joey asked.

In her mind, Chandler briefly popped up as her heart twisted, where she was quick to bury the emotions. "Yeah," said Zara. "I do love you, so why would I want this?"

The words were easy, something Zara had never expected. But, Joey's smile made them seem easier as his head lowered, making it official between them with a kiss.

"Now I don't want to go," Zara told him.

Joey chuckled at that. "Go as now you do have a boyfriend to talk about."

"I suppose," said Zara. "But I quite like talking about how many books I've sold."

"Oh," Joey realised. "My girlfriend's a best-selling author. My mom's gonna be so proud."

That caused Zara to laugh as she finished getting ready, needing to leave. In the living area, everyone (but Chandler) was hanging out as Zara said goodbye to them, and Joey was there to see her out.

"I might come over," said Zara. "But I'll see what time I get back."

"It's okay, don't rush back for me," Joey told her.

Zara smiled at that before she kissed Joey's cheek and then she left, feeling a bit giddy as if she was on cloud nine.

Once Zara left, Joey turned to everyone with a bright, happy smile. "Zara's my girlfriend."

And everyone cheered for him, completely over the moon for them.

♡

While out for drinks, Zara had felt strange meeting up with Betty and Annie, who were updating Zara on everything she had missed. As much as Zara adored her new career as an author, she truly missed teaching.

After a few drinks, the conversation about Zara's love life came up.

"So, Derek," said Betty as Zara almost choked on her drink. "Tell us about him."

"Uh, well..." Zara tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Derek and I aren't together anymore. It, um... ended very badly."

"Oh, no," Annie replied. "What happened?"

"It doesn't really matter," said Zara, not wanting to talk about it. "It helped lead me to someone else, so I'm happy."

Betty gasped. "You're back with Chandler!"

"No," Zara answered, trying not to cringe. "It's Joey, Chandler's roommate."

"Wait, he was at your book signing at the school, right?" Betty realised.

"Yeah, he was," Zara told them.

"Oh, he was handsome," Annie remembered. "He was on that show too."

"Days of Our Lives," Zara said. "Yeah. It's very recent between us, though. Like just tonight we made things official."

"That's so sweet," Annie said.

"Yeah, I'm happy for you, Zara," Betty added. "But, is it not strange with Chandler? Sorry, I don't mean to pry, I'm just trying to figure out how it works."

"It is still strange right now," Zara told them, honestly. "Chandler's hurt, so we're not trying to rub it in his face too much, but it's hard, I suppose. I guess it's still complicated."

"Do you still love him?" Betty asked.

Zara froze at the question, unknowing if she should answer it. "I do, but I think a part of me always will. While I was with Derek and Marnie before him, sometimes it's kind of like Chandler was the first person I ever loved. He was the first who was right for me."

"And Joey?" Annie questioned. "Do you love him?"

"Yeah," said Zara. "Joey's been a real surprise to love. Before me, he's never had attention focused on one woman, so I do feel special that all he sees is me now."

"Wow," Betty said. "You're certainly living the dream. A best-selling novel and two men in love with you? Consider me jealous!"

Zara did feel like everything was falling into place in her life. But, as she took another sip, her heart pounded, not questioning it, but the fear was still there.

When she returned home later that night, Zara felt a little tipsy. Though she was content, always enjoying being out with her friends, it was a relief to know that they still cared even after Zara had left her job.

Zara was tempted to go see if Joey was still up, but she wanted a change of clothes first just in case. Opening the front door, Zara found the apartment dark as she took off her heels, being quiet as she entered.

Though, she was surprised to find Chandler on the sofa. Having heard her come in, he had woken up, suddenly sitting upright.

"Chandler?" Zara questioned, quietly. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought you were with Joey tonight?" Chandler asked.

"I was gonna go over in a minute to see," said Zara. "But that still doesn't answer why you're here."

There was silence as Zara moved around the sofa, sitting down on the edge of the coffee table as she faced him. With it being so dark, Chandler turned on the lamp on the side table before he swung his legs around so he was sitting opposite Zara.

"Why aren't you in your own bed?" Zara asked again, already feeling like it was her fault.

"I couldn't spend the night listening to you and Joey," Chandler confessed. "It's hard, you know, but I'm trying." 

Zara felt her heart tear, really feeling guilty now. They had tried keeping things contained for Chandler's sake, but they had still managed to chase him out of his own home.

But all Zara could think about was Chandler with the flowers, wanting to declare his love, and fighting to have a second chance with Zara.

"What do you want, Chandler?" Zara asked him.

"That doesn't matter," Chandler told her, not looking at her.

"It does," Zara said. "I hate that you're sleeping on the sofa because of me. So, please, tell me. What can I do?"

"I just want you to be happy," Chandler said, meeting her gaze. "And that's with Joey, so I don't want to get in the way. I just need some time. Maybe a lot of time time. I don't know."

"Please be honest with me," Zara encouraged.

She didn't know why she was digging for the truth when she was happy and with Joey now, but a part of her heart needed this. Plus, the alcohol was making her heart beat harder, clouding any thoughts in her mind.

Chandler's soft eyes were heavy as he held her stare. "You know the truth."

"It's not true unless you say it," Zara whispered.

In the dark, their silence seemed louder. The two stared at each other, caught up in it being just them. Two hearts were pounding, so desperate and loud, but Zara felt numb with fear. She should go, but she was frozen.

"I love you," Chandler finally told her. "I've always loved you, even when I was too scared and blind to see it. And I hate that you didn't choose me."

And then, Chandler closed the gap between them as he kissed her, choosing to act so selfishly with his heart at that moment. Zara melted into it too as a moment of weakness before she came to her senses.

As she pulled away, she stared at Chandler with wide eyes.

Somehow, Zara's heart was on fire, but the flame was wicked like she was. All she could think about was Joey and how her divided heart had ruined everything.

♡

Oops! I feel so bad for all of them really, but mainly Joey!😭 I can't stop writing this story again as all I want is for them to be happy now. The next chapter is going to be pure chaos and Zara might have a decision to make. I'm back at work, so sadly I don't have the time to write it quickly.

For the last time, Chandler or Joey??