361 The conference in Portland 3

That better not be Dr. Snow asking her for dinner and drinks because she already told him that she is not interested!

She dragged herself out of the bed and reached for the doorknob grumpily, ready for a fiery argument with whoever woke her up. "What!?"

Liz paused and her eyes sprang open. In a split second, she was wide awake. "Max? Why are you here?"

Max looked at Liz with longing like they didn't see each other in ages. He was missing her like crazy and a video chat would not suffice to ease up his misery. The possibility of spending this night apart was agonizing and he really wanted to see her and hold her in his arms, so as soon as Max finished with his work, he headed for the airport.

Max was confident that Liz will be pleased to see him, but after this not-so-warm welcome, he is not sure if his unannounced visit was such a good idea. "I was missing you. Can I come in?"

"Of course!", Liz said louder than intended and scooted to the side to give him space to pass.

Instead of walking next to her, Max went straight toward Liz and wrapped his arms around her. In response, she hugged him back.

Max took a deep breath, inhaling her scent and his world was at peace.

"Did I wake you up?", Max asked when Liz yawned.

Liz nodded and sank deeper into his embrace. She noticed that he has a carry-on next to him. "Are you staying for the night?"

"Do you want me to stay?"

"What kind of a question is that?"

Max chuckled. "I will stay unless you kick me out. Did I surprise you?"

"This is the best surprise ever! How did you know that I'm here?"

"I was on my way to the airport when I got your text that you are going to sleep. I pulled some strings to find out in what room you are staying and… that's it. Let's go to bed. You can continue sleeping and I will hold you…"

Max tossed his suit jacket on the nearby chair and hopped on the bed.

Liz snuggled in his embrace. "I will take the cuddles, but I am awake. Do you want to grab some food? What's the time?"

"Almost eight o'clock."

"Did you have dinner?"

"I snacked on the plane so I'm not very hungry, but I could eat."

Liz rubbed her cheek on his chest. "Let's stay like this for a few minutes, freshen up, and then we can find something to eat…"

…

Max and Liz went to the restaurant within the hotel for dinner.

Over the meal, they discussed their day, as usually and they noticed the newcomer only when she was right next to them.

"Liz… I was about to call and check on you, but now I see why you disappeared.", Dr. Kaviraj said teasingly while glancing at Max.

Max and Dr. Kaviraj exchanged greetings, and Liz wanted to explain herself.

Liz pointed at the empty chair. "Do you want to join us?"

"No, no. I had my dinner, and I don't want to intrude." Dr. Kaviraj rejected and her mentor-persona kicked in. "I noticed that over lunch you were on the side. Other than the content delivered during presentations, these events are good opportunities for networking. Over years, I found a number of people with whom I'm exchanging ideas and I reach out to them when I need a second opinion. Other medical workers can give you tips when a good position opens up in another hospital or ask you for assistance with their research, how you are collaborating with Dr. Thomas." Dr. Kaviraj saw that Liz lowered her head and she added: "I'm not saying that you should not enjoy with your boyfriend, but don't seclude yourself. This event ends tomorrow, and I hope you will make the most of it. A number of surgeons are at the bar, having drinks and chatting. You are welcome to join."

"Thank you for letting me know, Dr. Kaviraj.", Liz responded without enthusiasm.

Max saw that Liz's mood was not good, and his was worse. He knows that Dr. Kaviraj would not say those things if he was not present.

He really wanted to see Liz and he didn't think that his presence might impact her negatively. 

"I'm sorry, Liz. I didn't mean to…", Max said when Dr. Kaviraj left.

"Why are you sorry?", Liz cut him off. "You were not here during lunch. And if you didn't wake me up, I would probably sleep until late, order room service, and then go back to sleep. Dr. Kaviraj means well, but her advice is only her opinion, and I don't agree with her."

Max was relieved that Liz is not blaming him. "How come you are not socializing with your fellow surgeons?"

"Honestly, I am used to doing my own thing. You should see the crowd at this conference. Nathan and Isaac would blend in while I stick out like a sore thumb. A neurosurgeon at my table called me green in my face and I can only imagine what they are saying when I'm not around. It's the same wherever I go. They don't see me as equal, they see me as a child. There is no point in mingling with those people who are exchanging wild ideas of how I reached my position, and their ideas include everything other than my hard work. They will never call me for anything, and if I reach out to them I will give them an opportunity to gloat about the thing I was unable to figure out on my own."

Max listened to Liz and he remembered the incident when they went to New York and he heard Dr. Schmuck (how Max calls him) talking smack behind Liz's words in Isaac's hospital. Liz is correct. No matter what she does, she can't win over such people because they don't want to accept someone who is so much younger and more brilliant than they are.

"Do you plan to stay away from them until you reach their age?", Max asked. "That is a lot of waiting until they accept you." 

Liz shook her head, indicating how that is not the case. "I want to build my reputation but for someone in my position, networking is not an option, so I chose to go with taking care of my patients and enhancing my skill set. In time, my accomplishments will speak about my abilities louder than any gossip and that is how I will reach the top."

Max smiled dotingly. He loves her stubborn persistence. "I admire your spirit."

"Aren't you in a similar position? For a CEO, you are young. I am sure that many who come to your office are underestimating you."

Max hummed in agreement. "And I use that against them. You could do the same."

Liz wondered, how can she put Max's words into action? She would love to give a few slaps to these old geezers who think less of her. Nothing popped into her mind, so she decided to leave it for later. There was one more thing she forgot to mention, and she does not want any misunderstandings.

"Max… Dr. Snow is here.", Liz said reluctantly while gauging Max's reaction.

"Dr. Snobby?"

Liz stifled a laugh when he reminded her of that unfortunate nickname. "You don't look surprised."

Max didn't deny it. "He is a surgeon and how much I remember, he got a job in Portland, so I guessed that someone with his profile will be here."

Liz looked at Max suspiciously. "Is that why you came tonight?"

Max put his hand over Liz's and looked into her eyes seriously. "Liz, if I am doubting that you can handle him, I would be here for lunch. Actually... I would do my best to prevent you from coming here."

Liz realized that Max is right. He was super-supportive from the beginning and he even cut some of his meetings short to help her get ready for her presentation. "Sorry."

"No need to apologize. I am here for an absolutely selfish reason: I missed you like crazy. That's it."

Liz returned the squeeze of his hand. "I missed you too… Let's go to the room."

Max smiled, knowing that the sparkle in Liz's eyes means that she has naughty thoughts. And he would love to indulge in carnal pleasures, taking her slowly until they happily collapse from exhaustion, but he had to remind her… "This is the conference you were looking forward to, and you will give a presentation in the morning. Let's go to the bar area. You should make an appearance, and maybe befriend a few people, and we will go to the room after that."

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