360 The conference in Portland 2 (1/2)
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…”