Ava opened and closed her mouth before answering. “I don’t think I can.”
“Well, what are you feeling?” Elizabeth asked. Ava narrowed her eyes at the woman. She seemed completely at ease, which Ava found intriguing. She itched to bounce the question back at Elizabeth but decided against it.
“I like you, I really like you. Obviously I’m attracted to you and I’m terrified that this conversation will mean the end of us,” Ava finally said.
“Why would you be afraid of that?” Elizabeth asked. Ava noticed that she was in her analytical mode, perhaps that was where Elizabeth was the most comfortable, even when discussing personal feelings.
“Well, because I have no idea what the future could hold for us,” Ava said.
Elizabeth nodded as though she was absorbing all the information.
“What about you, how are you feeling about all this?” Ava finally asked.
Elizabeth furrowed her brows in thought. “You are different than anyone I have ever met, Ava,” she said. Ava felt her cheeks flush. “You’re beautiful, you’re intelligent, you are interesting in all the best ways. I don’t want to end our relationship.”
“I don’t want to end our relationship either,” Ava blurted, relief washing through her. She felt elated. On some level, she knew that Elizabeth shared her feelings, but there was an acute joy at hearing it spoken aloud. “I find you so fascinating, Elizabeth,” Ava gushed.
“I feel the same,” Elizabeth said, her smile growing. Her light eyes sparkled with happiness. “I don’t know what the future will hold, Ava, but I know that I want you to be in it.”
Ava felt like she could stand up and dance around the table, but instead she reached across the table and stroked Elizabeth’s cheek. She sat up and leaned over to press her lips to Elizabeth’s for a quick kiss beforesettling back in her seat. The server came over with their salads and a slight smirk on her face.
“I’m not sure what we’re talking about over here, but I feel like I should say congratulations,” the server said with a slight chuckle.
“Thank you,” Ava responded, her cheeks flushing.
Elizabeth laughed slightly and picked up her fork and started picking at her salad. Ava did the same, but neither of them could bring themselves to eat.
“We have a lot to talk about,” Elizabeth finally said, and Ava’s pulse picked up again.
“We do, but we will figure it out,” Ava said, finally taking a bite of her meal. After chewing thoughtfully and swallowing she continued, “When we get back to the hospital, though, we need to meet with Doctor Mars and let her know what we’ve decided, apparently there’s some paperwork involved.”
Elizabeth nodded. “That’s usually the policy at a hospital,” she smiled. “I guess it’s part of who we are.”
Ava’s grin couldn’t be contained. She took another bite of her salad. Knowing they needed to get back to the hospital, they finished their meal quickly, moving the conversation to the case at hand. Ava made sure to text Dr. Mars and let her know that they would be coming in after they finished their lunch.
In a rash decision, Ava took Elizabeth’s hand as they walked back across the street to the hospital, and her mood only grew higher at the slight smile Elizabeth gave her at the soft touch.
They went straight to Dr. Mars’ office, she was on the phone as usual, so they took their seats in front of the desk. Ava could see that Dr. Mars looked relieved that they were coming in together, though she couldn’t completely figure out why.
“So?” Doctor Mars asked when she finally hung up the phone.
“We are declaring our relationship,” Ava said, fighting to keep the grin off her face. She needed to maintain her professionalism, but it was difficult. She glanced over at Elizabeth, who seemed to be fighting the same battle.
“This is not going to cause problems for the case or the hospital?” Doctor Mars asked with a lift of her eyebrows.
“Of course not, Doctor Mars,” Elizabeth answered, lifting her chin. “We are both dedicated professionals, and I believe that our personal relationship will only lead to our solving this case faster and more efficiently.”
“Well, that is good to hear,” Doctor Mars said and pulled a form from a drawer. She handed one to each of them. It was the basic contract that they were engaging in a relationship and that it would not interfere with their professional relationship.
“Thank you,” Ava said as she took the form, she signed her name and dated the bottom before passing the form back to Dr. Mars. Elizabeth took a little more time skimming over the contents but added her name to the bottom and dated it.
“I didn’t doubt it,” she said as she took the forms from the two women. They looked at each other and smiled and Dr. Mars rolled her eyes. “It’s nice to see you with someone who is on your level,” Doctor Mars said, directing the comment toward Ava.
Elizabeth’s brows furrowed, but she gave a slight smirk. Ava’s cheeks warmed, but Elizabeth knew she was a great match for Ava, that was never a question.
“Thank you?” Ava said with a slight shake of her head.
“Off the record, I think you are wonderful for each other and I wish you all the best. I know I shouldn’t put my nose in anyone’s personal lives, but Ava, I know you deserve someone great and I believe that Elizabeth is easily that person.”
