Ava never took her eyes from Elizabeth. She knew that they needed to talk to Dr. Mars at some point today, but this was the first interaction Ava had had with her so far. She made a snap decision.
“Doctor Grant, I need to speak to you about something,” Ava blurted. Several of the young doctors looked up in surprise, but Elizabeth didn’t seem to miss a beat.
“Of course,” Elizabeth said and lifted herself from her seat. She followed Elizabeth into the hallway.
Ava checked her watch and looked up at Elizabeth. “Maybe we should get something to eat across the street?”
“Did you call me out of the conference room to invite me to brunch?” Elizabeth asked, her expression bewildered.
“No, not exactly, we have to talk, um… have to spoken to Doctor Mars today?” Ava asked.
“Yes, but I have a feeling it’s not about whatever subject you are so eloquently approaching,” Elizabeth’s expression shifted from bewilderment to amused.
Ava pressed her lips before answering, fighting the urge to laugh. “Probably.”
“I’ll meet you there in ten,” Elizabeth said and reached out to squeeze Ava’s hand. Ava’s heart fluttered in her chest at the slight contact, and she nodded.
“See you there,” she said then turned to the elevator. She headed down to the first floor and stashed her lab coat in her locker and grabbed her personal bag. Her pulse was ticking as she made her way out of the hospital. She knew they would not have long to talk before needed to get back to the hospital, so she hoped nothing would hold Elizabeth up.
She went across the street to the pub, being early in the day it was much quieter, a couple of other patrons sat at the booths and the bartender gestured for her to take a seat wherever. Within a few minutes, a server came to get her drink order. She ordered two glasses of water and let the server know that Elizabeth would be joining her soon, and as though on cue, Elizabeth walked through the door.
She was wearing a sharp blue suit that accentuated her curves, despite the masculine cut of the outfit, she looked all woman. Ava’s breath caught as she watched her cross the room. Even the way she walked exuded confidence and power, and the way her eyes lit up when she spotted Ava made her pulse spike again.
Elizabeth slid into the booth opposite Ava, and suddenly Ava found that she was fumbling for words. She opened her mouth and tried to speak, but nothing would form. She closed and opened it again, quickly becoming frustrated at her lack of tact.
“Come on, out with it,” Elizabeth said, though she picked at the coaster and fidgeted with the straw.
“Doctor Mars approached me this morning,” Ava finally managed to blurt. “About us.”
“Us?” Elizabeth’s eyebrows lifted in surprise.
“Yes, apparently people have been talking,” Ava said, heat blossoming in her cheeks.
“Talking,” Elizabeth echoed, her voice flat.
“Drawback of the Phoenix Ridge community, I guess,” Ava said with a slight wince. “Doctor Mars is worried about the PR, since this case has become public knowledge.”
“Has something happened?” Elizabeth asked. At that moment, the server came up to the table with their waters.
Ava shook her head, but they paused the conversation to order a light lunch of salads with chicken, and once the server left, Elizabeth’s eyes locked on Ava’s again.
“So, has something happened?” Elizabeth repeated.
Ava shook her head again before speaking. “No, nothing detrimental anyway, Doctor Mars just wants us to decide if we are official or…” Ava trailed off.
“Or?” Elizabeth lifted an eyebrow.
“Now you’re messing with me,” Ava said with a sigh and leaned onto her hand.
“I’m not messing with you,” Elizabeth said with a slight smile. “I guess I’m trying to feel out what you’re thinking.”
“Well, we were supposed to talk about this yesterday,” Ava said with a shrug.
“I suppose so,” Elizabeth answered.
“Well, have you thought about it?” Ava asked, her pulse pounding.
“You go first,” Elizabeth said.
