360 The conference in Portland 2 (2/2)

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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