Accident Prone

Since Liz returned to her seat, she can see that the hostility between Max and Chris increased.

Liz sighed while thinking that they should cut this afternoon short before these two jump at each other's throats and start getting physical. She saw them talking in whispers while she was away. What did they talk about? She hoped that they started getting along, but it seems that it's the opposite.

All this is her fault. Even this unpleasant silence is her fault. Why is the silence unpleasant? She glanced at Chris and then at Max. Both of them are looking anywhere other than at each other which is noticeable because they are in front of one another… She is not sure about Chris, but with Max, when it's just the two of them, the silence is comfortable.

Liz thought that Max might be right. Professional connections should be left at work, at least until there is some better understanding between the two people.

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What does she know about Dr. Snow? Other than how he is an exceptional surgeon and about his practices and breakthrough research… nothing much.

Why did she assume that everyone will get along and it will be a great afternoon? Liz does not know if just the two of them have anything in common (other than work related topics), and she was silly to think that he will accept her friends and that they will accept him. Such a childish concept, like playdates to which mothers force their kids and then tell them to 'be nice' and 'share their toys'. Her inexperience in socializing is showing, big time.

Elizabeth watched Bri and Quentin leave and wished them a good time. That is strange... Why does Quentin not look good? She thought that Quentin will be happy to have his time with Bri and he looks… miserable. Did she bully him again?

Now that she thinks about it, Chris barely spoke with anyone other than her. Few sentences he exchanged with Max were strained, borderline hostile.

Chris is probably uncomfortable with everyone else. How come he has no problems talking with others at work? Work, right. That brings her back to Max's point that work and private relationships are not the same.

Liz sighed while reminding herself not to repeat this mistake.

Liz saw that now it's just the three of them, and it appears they are done with their meal. She should suggest that they head out, right? They are probably waiting for her to say something, because she is the female in the group. What about that afternoon outing which Chris promised to organize for her, Bri and Mia? Bri and Mia are gone, and there is no way she wants to be with both Chris and Max longer than necessary.

Ugh, she needs to tell Chris that the plan is off (whatever it is). Probably it's the best to wait for him to mention it first, and then she will apologize. Maybe she can say that she is not feeling well? Something not serious to get the guys worried, yet serious enough to cancel the afternoon…

She was about to suggest that they head out when Max stood up.

"Excuse me…"

Liz watched him walk away. To the restroom, probably.

"Elizabeth…", Chris called as soon as Max was out of the earshot.

Liz looked at Chris' complex expression and she had no idea what he will say next.

"How did you end up associating yourself with such a man?"

Chris saw Liz's face darken and he knew that he crossed the line. He knew that he is crossing it even before he asked that question, but while Liz was gone, Max riled him up.

How did Max find out that he is interested in Elizabeth and that he organized this lunch to get closer to her, outside work setting? Why did he call him a snobby doctor who should stick to his patients and leave Liz alone? Why did he say that no matter how many achievements in the field of medicine he has, Liz will never see him as a man?

Chris told Max that he is a useless man without a future, and Max responded by saying how his future with Liz looks very bright from his point of view. Chris called him out on his womanizing, and Max laughed it out saying how those skills are to Liz's advantage and that a monk like him will never know how to please a woman.

"I told you to stick to what you are good at. Focus on your patients and leave Elizabeth to me.", Max even winked provocatively!

If Liz returned one second later, Chris is confident that he would leap over the table and strangle Max.

"What do you mean?"

Liz's icy voice reminded Chris to get back into reality. He started something and he will say what is on his mind. He didn't accomplish his current status by shying away from speaking up.

"Max is a womanizer, without goals or a purpose in life who only lives for the next party… You are an amazing woman and you deserve so much better than him. Or are you happy to be just one of his flings? I know that is not you. You need something stable, a man you can rely on. Why would you put yourself in a position where you need to pull the weight for two? I think that you should be with someone who has a bright future. Someone who can match you on a professional and personal level. A man whom you will proudly introduce to your father as your partner..."

Liz could not believe what she is hearing. Are her ears playing tricks on her? Is Chris giving her relationship advices? Is he going to filter her friends also? Who does he think he is? She reminded herself that she does not know him.

Dr. Snow which keeps his interaction to a professional one is a much better company than Chris who meddles into her life.

"Dr. Snow… you don't know me, you don't know Max, and you don't know anything about our relationship."

Chris balled his hands into fists under the table when he realized that she called him Dr. Snow, distancing herself from him again. And why is she defending that scoundrel? But he is not ready to give up…

"Elizabeth, I know that I am stepping over the line. Trust me that I am doing it with good intentions. Are you going to deny that I am right?"

"Right about what? Who made you the person who decides what is good for me?"

"I know your father, and Isaac would not approve of you associating yourself with this man."

Liz could not believe how brazen this man is. Did he just mention her father?!

"Are you done?", Liz squeezed through her teeth.

Chris can see that Liz is at her breaking point. He already said all this, but he is not done, and he needs to hurry up or he will lose her.

"No. There is so much more I want to tell you, and I hope you will listen and see my sincerity. Your achievements are amazing. That is how my attention got drawn to you. I admit that we don't know each other well, but I know that you are smart, dedicated, reliable, honest, kind, witty and brilliant in any way imaginable. I hope that you will give me an opportunity to pursue you romantically and to show you what I can offer as a lifelong partner."

Chris saw that Liz's eyes opened wide in shock and he was not sure if she will pass out or leave, but he swiftly held her hand in his and added: "I don't want to rush things. At this point, I only hope to spend more time with you. Don't shut me out. I know that this lunch was not the most pleasant one, and I acted like a child more than once. I'm asking you to give me a chance to show you who I am and what I can offer. Please, consider it."

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