“Well, compatibility was what I always looked for in a partner, and it seemed that I had found the perfect partner, yet it still didn’t work out, and it hurt when we split, but I really can’t say that it was terrible. We were great together, but when she had an opportunity presented to her that took her away, neither of us really had to think too hard on it, she took it and we ended.”
“Just like that, huh?” Ava said.
“I guess so, I missed having her in my life, but it was just another step, another thing to get used to,” Elizabeth said. Ava watched Elizabeth’s expression, there was almost no emotion attached to it. Her heart threatened to sink through the floor. She thought she had noticed Elizabeth’s attraction, but it was possible that she was misreading the situation completely. Maybe she was just projecting her own feelings onto Elizabeth and not actually understanding what was happening between them.
“I really don’t know what to say to that,” Ava admitted.
“I’m sorry, that probably makes me sound like a soulless monster,” Elizabeth said.
“No,” Ava said and reached across the table to take Elizabeth’s hand. They both lookeddown at their joined hand, but neither of them pulled away. “You’re smart, you’re analytical, that’s how you work, that doesn’t make you empty.”
“Thanks, I guess,” Elizabeth said. Ava knew Elizabeth was blushing this time, it wasn’t just her imagination. She squeezed Elizabeth’s hand, and warmth flooded through her.
Elizabeth wet her lips, and Ava felt compelled to touch them. She gently stroked Elizabeth’s hand and leaned forward across the table. “You are brilliant, Doctor Elizabeth Grant. You have devoted your whole life to the service of others. You’re beautiful, inside and out.”
Elizabeth lifted her hand slightly and laced her fingers through Ava’s. Ava’s heart started thundering in her chest. “So are you,” Elizabeth said and turned her piercing eyes on Ava. Ava’s breath caught in her throat.
The server walked up to their table with a check in hand, and Elizabeth released Ava’s hand. She reached for her wallet and gave the server a card. She looked at Ava, “My treat.”
“Th-thank you, I’ll get the next one,” Ava said, then clenched her teeth.
They looked at each other as they waited for the server to return with Elizabeth’s card. Ava tried to speak but couldn’t find any words for what she wanted to say. Her pulse was thrumming in her ears, and all she wanted to do was come over that table and press her lips to Elizabeth’s. She let her eyes trail down Elizabeth’s face, her smooth neck, her sharp navy blouse that hugged her curves beautifully. She reached for Elizabeth’s hand again, but that’s when the server showed up with the receipts.
Elizabeth used the pen to sign the slip, leaving a generous tip, and then turned to Ava. “I guess we should probably get some rest, maybe we will have some good news in the morning.”
“Yes, of course,” Ava said. They gathered their things and slid from the booth. Ava walked slightly in front of Elizabeth through the door, and they both lingered in the parking lot. “I could… I could drive you back to Lavender’s,” Ava offered, though it wasn’t what she wanted to say, to offer.
“No, no thanks,” Elizabeth answered and started to walk away.
Ava felt a wave of panic wash over her. She knew what she was feeling, and she was pretty sure Elizabeth felt the same way, but if she let her walk away, she may never get the chance again.
“Elizabeth?” Ava said and then had to stop and clear her throat. Her heart was threatening to beat itself out of her ribcage, but she couldn’t let this chance pass her by.
Elizabeth slowly turned back toward her, her eyes shining. Fear suddenly struck Ava. What if Elizabeth turned her down? Would she be able to show her face in the hospital tomorrow. Elizabeth adjusted the collar of her shirt, and Ava’s eyes trailed down to her breast. Her own lungs constricted. What was she doing?
“Would you like to come to my place? I could make us some coffee,” Ava blurted. Her lungs froze as she waited for Elizabeth to reply.
Elizabeth’s face twisted in thought. For a moment, fear seemed to swallow Ava whole. Elizabeth was probably searching for the most tactful way to turn her down. Ava shoved her hands in her pockets and looked down at the pavement. She readied an apology for even asking on the tip of her tongue.
“Sure,” Elizabeth said and when Ava looked up, Elizabeth’s blue eyes were burning into her.
6
ELIZABETH
Ava’s eyes flew open and she looked up at Elizabeth. “Sure? I mean, yes, okay, I live about a block over, it’s not far at all.”
Elizabeth fought against a chuckle at Ava’s flustered response. This may be the most impulsive decision she’d ever made, but she was attracted to Ava, she couldn’t deny that.
Ever since seeing Ava speak at that conference a year ago, Elizabeth had known she wanted her. And here was that very opportunity presenting itself.
Whether this was something that could last forever was anyone's guess, but she couldn’t help herself. She didn’t have to think that far into the future to decide if she should go home with Ava.
She tried to analyze what this could lead to as she walked next to Ava. She was talking, but Elizabeth couldn’t pay much attention. She was mostly describing her home and how she rarely spent much time there. It was obvious that she was incredibly self-conscious, and Elizabeth thought she should say something to alleviate Ava’s anxiety. She wasn’t sure how to do that when her own heart was thudding against her ribs, though.
The walk was less than five minutes down a clean street, and Ava led them to a modest apartment complex. She opened the door to a small apartment that was nicely kept.
The walls were all shades of gray, which didn’t seem to fit Ava’s personality, but she didn’t think that Ava spent a lot of time worrying about her décor. The apartment was sparsely decorated, with a picture of Ava and her parents on a small shelf.
