333 Thanksgiving morning 2

"What are your plans for today?" Olivia asked Elizabeth while arranging things in the fridge.

"We will spend the afternoon and the evening with the Anderson family. Madeline will roast a turkey and Max is looking forward to the food and the game. He says that he and Hunter always watch the football game together with their father, and this year, my dad and Ashton will join them. How about you?"

"I'm bringing Mike to my parents' place. We will do the same. Family, food, and the game. That's what Thanksgiving is all about."

"Do you want to leave early?" Liz offered.

"No need.", Olivia responded. "Mike is working until noon so even if I leave early I will just wait for him. I got stuff to whip you up breakfast because Max is not well, and I know that you will burn instant noodles."

Olivia burst into a laugh when she saw Liz's outraged expression.

"OK. OK." Olivia said while catching her breath. "You are not completely useless in the kitchen. If you want to help, start with washing and chopping…"

Liz washed vegetables that Olivia gave her and started chopping per instructions.

"How is Max doing?" Olivia asked while whisking the eggs.

"Better."

"How are you doing?"

Liz exhaled. "I feel like I'm going in circles."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Liz tiptoed to the master bedroom and peeked inside. She confirmed that the shower is running in the bathroom before leaving the bedroom and closing the door.

Liz returned to her chopping station and asked: "What do you think about an ex that resurfaced suddenly?"

Olivia looked at Liz and blinked. "You are dating Max freaking Anderson and you are worried about ONE ex?"

"He is not Max freaking Anderson. He is MY Max. This ex is not like all the other ones. They dated for some time and she left him six years ago and now she is back."

"Back as in…?" Olivia waited for Liz to clarify.

"She will work for Max. Max will be her boss. And before you ask, he didn't know about it, his father hired her. When Max saw her, there was a reaction." Liz froze and her eyes and mouth were open, imitating someone who is in shock. Two seconds later, Liz continued her explanation: "He was staring at her like that and didn't even notice that I left."

Olivia frowned. "I assume that he had a good explanation because you are with him now."

"He said that he spaced out because he was surprised. Something like a ghost from the past popping up unexpectedly. He told me that she does not matter, and I didn't believe him. I left, he drank, and the next time I saw him, he was in a coma."

Olivia understood that this happened during the event last week. "I thought you went to a party last Wednesday."

"You can't compare us, Liz. My life is much less complicated. But if Mike's ex shows up after she dumped him, I would worry about one thing: Why did she show up? I mean… they dated, and she got a taste. If he was good, why did she leave in the first place? And if he was bad, why is she back? This is not after a week or two where she realized her mistake after some time away from him. This is after six years. That is a lot of time to move on with your life. And it's not like they have kids or puppies to keep them tied up."

"What if she has some other reason to accept a job at the Alpha group?" Liz asked cautiously. She didn't want to mention corporate espionage because that is a different can of worms that she doesn't want to open.

"Some other reason?" Olivia chuckled and shook her head. "Unless I plan to get back with my ex, no amount of money would make me spend forty hours a week in his proximity. You said that Max will be her boss, and that means that her job is not entry-level. She has the education and experience, and that comes with plenty of other opportunities which don't include putting her career in the hands of an ex who is probably upset because she dumped him."

Liz pressed her lips into a line and continued cutting bell pepper. It seems that everyone has a different point of view.

"Liz?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you love him?"

Liz paused, unsure from where that question came. "What?"

Olivia repeated. "Do you love him? Don't answer to me. Answer to yourself. I can see that you are happy with Max, but you need to see it yourself. No matter how Max reacted at the moment when he saw her, he didn't rush to pull her into his embrace and to welcome her back into his life. Once he calmed down, he decided to be with you and that means he does not plan to abandon you for her. Do you want to fight for your relationship or give up? That bitch is after him and you need to sharpen your claws and let her know that Max is not available."

Liz paused and looked at Olivia. "I can't believe that you are defending Max."

Olivia sighed dramatically. "Neither do I, Liz… Neither do I…"

Liz and Olivia giggled.

"Thanks, Olivia. I can always count on your unique point of view."

"You are welcome. If you need an alibi, you know my number. Just give me a heads-up so that our stories match."

Liz burst into a laugh, happy that Olivia is her friend. Other than Mia and Bri, Liz was mostly on her own but since she came to Seattle, her circle of friends is expanding.

…

Max got out of the bedroom, fresh for the day, and saw Liz arranging breakfast on the table.

"Olivia left?"

Liz confirmed. "I told her to take time off for the holiday, so she will return on Monday."

"Anything new from Olivia-station?" Max knows that Olivia is always full of stories (aka gossip).

"Girl-talk mostly. Sit and eat. It's good while it's warm. Olivia is an amazing cook. I told her that if arts don't work for her, she can always be my chef."

"How about our chef?"

Liz didn't get it. "What?"

"I was thinking… How about we get our place?"

Liz looked around the spacious apartment. "What's wrong with this one?"

"This is my place and I noticed that you are… reserved. I would like it if we can have our place. Something that works for both of us." Max noticed that Liz is frowning. "You don't think it's a good idea?"

"No, no… it's just that… I came to Seattle for one year and…" Now Liz noticed that Max is frowning. "I didn't think beyond that."

Max swallowed hard and he forced a question out: "Are you planning to return to New York?"

"I don't know, Max. I told you, I didn't think about that. When I came to Seattle it was only for a year, and after that, I would either return to New York or be free to choose. But even with the freedom of choice, I didn't have plans other than to prove how I can do it. At that time, I didn't know you, Olivia, Quentin, Andrea, or your family… and I didn't know that Mia and Bri will end up moving here or that I would have so much fun working at the hospital that does not belong to my father."

Liz knows that even if she does not go to that symposium of neurosurgeons in Las Vegas as a speaker, Isaac would not be in her way if she wants to stay in Seattle. He would not approve enthusiastically her decision to live outside New York, but Isaac will never prevent Liz from living her life the way she wants it.

"I understand.", Max mumbled and poked the food on his plate.

"Don't make it awkward. That is the decision I need to make six months from now. A lot of things can happen until then." Liz exhaled. "But you have a point. I need to think about it. If I don't return to New York, my dad will be sad. He needs me."

"I need you as well.", Max said.

Liz smiled. "I know you do, Max. And I need you as well. You and Isaac are the two most important men in my life, and I hope that neither of you will force me to choose one."

"I will never force you into anything, Elizabeth. I hope that you know how choosing to stay in Seattle does not mean abandoning Isaac.", Max said seriously. In the next moment, his expression turned mischievous. "Keep in mind what all I can offer…" He gestured up and down his body while wiggling his eyebrows.

Liz laughed. She likes it when Max is silly.

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