360 The conference in Portland 2

Liz remembered that Dr. Snow is the man she admired for many years and if not for several weeks when they worked together and he revealed his romantic interest in her (and almost damaged her career), she would still look at him with stars in her eyes.

Liz thought about his question. Can he sit at her table? Well, it's not a date or anything like that and it's not like she can prevent him from sitting wherever he wants. This is a table for eight people, and she can't hog it for herself. But she still wanted to give him a warning… "You are welcome to sit anywhere. This table included."

Dr. Snow smiled sadly. "I was hoping for a warmer reunion. We haven't seen each other in months. Did my poor judgment leave such a deep stain that you can't forgive me? If I could go back in time, I would not send you those flowers. I would go with chocolates."

Liz thought how his last remark is cheeky.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Snow. I am tired and my goal is to make this lunch quick so that I can go and rest until the conference resumes. I am not upset about those flowers, that is in the past. It all ended well."

Dr. Snow took Liz's response as OK to join her. He took a seat and waved for the waiter.

"What did you take?", Dr. Snow asked Liz.

"Chicken."

"I will take chicken and lemon water…", Dr. Snow told the waiter and turned to Liz. "Can I ask you one thing?"

"Sure…"

"Can you call me Chris? Christian is also fine, but Dr. Snow is too formal, and we are not coworkers anymore."

Liz thought about how it makes sense. Well, she is not so stuck on labels anyway. "Sure, Chris."

Dr. Snow smiled. "Thank you, Elizabeth…"

"If we are going to be friends, you can call me Liz."

Dr. Snow nodded in agreement. "Liz. You look different."

"How different?"

Dr. Snow observed her for some time before responding. "Glowing. Are you happy?"

"I am."

Dr. Snow smiled and his eyes stirred with emotions. Sadness mostly. "That is good to hear… Tell me what happened at the Franciscan Medical Center since I left. I see you are one of the presenters…"

They chatted about work and Dr. Snow listened to Liz talk about her being a senior neurosurgeon and her interns and the lab… and he asked relevant questions. Liz found out that he is doing well in the Portland's General Hospital and that he is working as a senior orthopedic surgeon. She told him about the virus research she is doing with Dr. Thomas, and he told her about one big publication he is working on for a famous medical magazine… and the time passed quickly.

Liz wondered if Dr. Snow is over her. Did he find someone else? Maybe. He is a handsome man, definitely not lacking the opportunities. Liz remembers that almost all nurses at the Franciscan Medical Center were ready to throw themselves at him and her guess was that it's pretty much the same at his current workplace.

During their chat, the atmosphere was relaxed, and he didn't try to come close or insinuate anything romantically and that made Liz lower her guard a bit.

Liz didn't ask Dr. Snow about his private life because he didn't ask about hers, and she didn't want to appear like she is snooping.

"I hope you enjoy my presentation…", Dr. Snow said as they stood up from the table. "I will expect to hear feedback. Good or bad, I can take it."

Liz blinked. She didn't know that Dr. Snow will be one of the presenters. But then… this is a conference for surgeons, and Dr. Snow is a surgeon, a famous one. It would be silly that he is not participating actively.

Other than her presentation being tomorrow morning, she didn't check others because she planned to attend all of them. "When is it?"

"I am second after lunch, at 2:00 PM."

"I will pay attention.", Liz responded earnestly.

"If you give me feedback, I will return the favor. Between the two of us, I am going first, so if you ask me any tricky questions at the end, I can do the same to you."

Liz stifled a laugh. "Don't worry. I will not sabotage your presentation. If I have any tricky questions, I will keep them for later."

Dr. Snow smiled. "Sounds like we have a deal…"

He didn't miss that Liz is keeping her distance from him, but they are talking, and she smiled and said that she will pay attention to his presentation and that she will talk to him later and… he will take it.

Dr. Snow is aware that last time he blew up his chance with Liz because he rushed.

Because of his blunder, he lost many months that could be spent in Liz's company.

This time, he will take it slow with the hope that little by little Liz opens up to the possibility of accepting him as part of her life.

Liz returned to her seat at the table in the conference hall and remembered that she didn't respond to Max's texts.

Just as she expected, during lunch break, she received several more messages while she chatted with Dr. Snow. Ah, now she feels guilty.

Max was asking how her day is going and if the presentations are any good, and he told her that his day sucks because he is missing her.

He asked when a good time is to talk because he longs to hear her voice, and she responded that they can talk in the evening, since her day is packed. Even if she is in Seattle, they would talk only after work!

[My handsome boyfriend]: "I know that you are not nearby, and that is enough of a reason for me to lose my mind…"

[My handsome boyfriend]: "I expect you to compensate me when we meet!"

[My handsome boyfriend]: "Note: only flesh currency is accepted and there better be a lot of cuddles!"

Ah, Max is silly and clingy, and he has the power to make her smile with text messages.

His last message was: "I already miss you tonight…"

Liz responded: "I miss you as well…"

Liz sighed. It will be tough to sleep without Max. He became her permanent accessory, and she knows that hugging a pillow will not be the same.

The presentations started and Liz did her best to focus.

Dr. Snow was next. His talk was eloquent, slides of the presentation on point, his stance was perfect, his hand gestures impeccable, and he commanded the room. Liz admired him and she hoped that she can achieve at least half of that tomorrow during her presentation.

The rest of the presentations passed quickly, and Liz counted minutes to five o'clock when it will be over and she can crash in her room until the morning the next day. She was so exhausted that she was confident that hugging a pillow will be just fine.

"Liz… Liz!", Dr. Snow called after Liz when she was on her way out of the conference room.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if you want to meet for dinner.", Dr. Snow said. He saw that Liz frowned and quickly added: "Some other surgeons from my hospital will be there and I can introduce you if you want. And in the evening, we will meet at the bar for a chat."

Liz covered her mouth with her palm and stifled a yawn.

"I'm sorry, Chris. I am so exhausted that food and mingling is not an option. I plan to go and crash in my room. If I wake up after dinner time, I will order room service. And if it's not too late, I might join you guys at the bar. It will all depend on when I wake up. Rest is my priority, or I will end up yawning through my presentation."

Dr. Snow was not happy with Liz's response, but there is not much he can do. "Will you call me when you are up? Then I can tell you where we are."

"Sure."

"Have a good rest and I will see you tomorrow if not sooner."

"Thank you…" Liz was happy that he was not persistent. Maybe he did give up on her. Maybe.

Liz went into her room and swiftly texted Max: "Exhausted. I'm going to sleep. We will talk later... Sorry." before she threw herself toward the bed. Liz is confident that she slept off while falling because she does not remember the moment when her head hit the pillow.

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