341 Max comes to work 2

She had a magazine and her cell phone to keep busy, and Foxy came twice to ask her if she needs anything. But Liz's mind was stirring with thoughts of how Max is doing. Having Max and Irene in the same room was unsettling, even though there were other people present.

Liz exhaled. Her insecurities are showing again.

She wondered, what is she insecure about?

Is it Max? Liz is confident that Max will not succumb to Irene's charms, especially not in a meeting room full of people. And she believes that even if it's only Max and Irene, Max will stay away from her and not let her come close.

Is she insecure about Irene? They established that Irene does not have good intentions. She might be here because of Max or because of the Alpha group, and in either case, Irene is up to no good, but no matter how much she is scheming, if Max knows that she is targeting him, he will be ready.

Is she insecure about herself? Liz knows that she loves Max and that she wants to do everything in her power to make their relationship work because he loves her as well.

Since everything seems to be fine and taken care of, why is she so restless?

Liz paced back and forth through Max's office while trying to burn some of her energy. Every minute was dragging, and it was torturous, but Liz knows that it would be worse if she is waiting for him at home.

She told herself to calm down. This is not the time to get distracted. Max went to face Irene and Irene is a common enemy. Liz needs to be supportive of Max and not to be another problem.

Liz heard voices from the outside and she quickly dashed to the sofa and grabbed a magazine.

The door opened, and Max and Hunter entered.

"Hi Liz…", Hunter waved. "I just wanted to say hi, so you don't think I'm avoiding you. I will leave you to your lunch plans."

The door closed behind Hunter and Liz looked at Max who sat on the sofa next to her.

"The meeting went fine. Were you nervous?", Max asked.

Liz blinked. Is she so easy to read? "What makes you think so?"

"You are holding the magazine upside down."

Liz closed the magazine, kept it on the table, and exhaled. How embarrassing. "Did that woman try something?"

Max shrugged, indicating that he is not sure. "She was not ready for her status when her turn came, so I said that she will go last. But then we ran out of time and I told her to send us an email."

"Based on your description of Irene, she had her status ready before the meeting. Why would she fake that she is not ready? Is she trying to look fragile?"

"How are you feeling?", Liz asked reluctantly.

"In control. How about you?"

Liz took a deep breath before admitting: "Restless."

Max scooted closer and pulled her into his embrace. "It's OK. Little by little, you will get the confidence that she can't get in-between us. Elizabeth, you are the only one I'm willing to have by my side and every other woman is an imposter."

Liz closed her eyes and breathed his scent while wondering if she will ever be at peace. Max's words reminded her that it's not only Irene; there are many others who would throw themselves at Max and try anything to get their hands on him. Ah, she is nervous again.

"I wish that it's that simple."

Max craned his head so that he can see her. "It is. You are Elizabeth Williams, the only woman I am willing to call my girlfriend and the only woman who can claim that I am hers."

Liz smiled, amazed at all the ways Max is finding to covey his love and devotion. Everything is fine when it's just the two of them, and she wished for the power to whisk all the people with bad intentions away.

"I'm sorry that I'm insecure. But that does not mean that I don't love you."

"It's OK. You focus on your work and on me, and I will deal with everything else. The only thing I wish for is that you are confident in your place by my side." 

Max inched closer and pecked her lips once, twice… and then he deepened the kiss, and she laced her fingers in his hair and she allowed him to melt her doubts away and it was wonderful.

After an unknown measure of time, Max broke the kiss and spoke into her lips. "Let me know when you want us to leave for lunch."

Liz glanced toward his work desk. "Don't you have some wrap-up work to do?"

"No. Nathan should be back in time for his next meeting in the afternoon, and Hunter will update him so there is no need for me to linger. I am all yours."

Liz smiled. "OK. Let's get out of here."

On the way out, they passed next to Foxy's desk.

"We are heading out, Foxy. Thanks for today.", Max told Foxy and paused when he saw a small movement of Foxy's fingers which told him to come closer.

"Director Brooks is lingering by the elevator since you returned.", Foxy told Max, only for him to hear.

Max responded with a nod.

"Director Brooks, don't tell me you are lost?", Max asked when he and Liz approached her and he pushed the button to summon the elevator.

Irene glanced at Max and Liz and slightly frowned at Max's hand that rested on Liz's shoulder.

Irene is 99% confident that she is looking at the same woman (aka Elizabeth) from that event when she was introduced as the director of marketing, and she seems to be the same woman from the photos she received. And that means… she is Max's girlfriend... the one Max is dating for real.

Irene reminded herself to stay present. "No, I'm not lost."

"Your office is one floor lower.", Max stated the fact.

"I know. I was hoping that you will have the time to talk to me. It should not take more than five minutes."

"I apologize, director Brooks, but I mentioned at the end of the previous meeting that I have an important engagement. You can send me an email or talk to Foxy about scheduling a meeting."

Max glanced at Liz and saw that she looked at him and then at Irene.

"Oh, I apologize. I forgot to introduce you. Elizabeth, this is director Brooks. She joined us as the director of marketing recently. Director Brooks, this is Elizabeth, my girlfriend."

"Nice to meet you.", Liz and Irene lied in unison.

Liz and Irene shook hands briefly and Max was pleased by Liz's confidence. This is his Elizabeth Williams, Isaac's daughter, and an accomplished neurosurgeon. She will not show her insecurities to an outsider. Suddenly, Max was overwhelmed by a warm and fuzzy feeling that spread from his chest to the rest of his body. Liz is allowing him to see her soft side because she let him in. How wonderful!

The elevator dinged and the door opened.

"Excuse us, director Brooks…", Max said while leading Liz into the elevator.

Irene plastered a smile that faded as soon as the elevator door closed. She was furious. What important engagement? Isn't this only a lunch-date? He cut her off during a meeting with an excuse that he can't give her a few minutes, and it was because his girlfriend was waiting for him! Shameless!

In the underground garage…

"What are you thinking?", Max asked Liz as soon as they entered his car, unsure what to expect because Liz was quiet since he introduced her to Irene.

"I don't like how she is looking at you.", Liz said after some time.

Max was relieved after hearing Liz's answer. "I like how you are looking at her."

"Really?"

Max nodded earnestly. "Confident, ready to defend your territory."

Liz exhaled. "You would not say that if you knew how nervous I was."

"Don't look down on yourself. Confidence can come from inside or from the outside. You never needed to defend your relationship, so this is new for you. But as long as you keep that external confidence, it will seep inside, and it will become a part of you."

Liz thought about his words and concluded that they made sense. When she started working, she was timid around senior surgeons and not sure if she is worthy of working among them. But she never allowed that to show. In time, she proved to them and to herself that she is skilled enough, and her initially-faked confidence became real.

"Do you think Irene is upset that you refused to give her those five minutes of your time?"

Max smirked. "Furious."

"She looks like someone who is not used to rejection. Keep on pushing her buttons like that and she will reveal her true self.", Liz advised him.

Max nodded in agreement. "Then, you will need to come to my office more often."

"I will."

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