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Friday

Liz woke up in Max’s apartment.

‘It’s nice to be home…’, she thought while trying to stretch only to realize that she can’t move her right arm much and that reminded her that one week ago they were heading for South America.

Many things changed since then. Liz got shot, and that was a wake-up call that she needs to reprioritize things in her life.

Liz wondered where her bolster pillow went. She saw Max sitting on the chair next to the bed with a small desk in front of him that was filled with papers and he was looking at the laptop.

They returned from New York yesterday, and since then Max is busy catching up with work.

Max worked from New York as well, but as soon as they arrived last night, Foxy stopped by after work and delivered several thick folders for Max to go through. Shortly after that, Hunter and Mia arrived, and most of the evening passed with Max and Hunter talking about work while Mia gave company to Liz.

When Liz drifted off to sleep last night, Max was working, and she was not sure if he slept at all.

“Max?”, she called softly, and he turned toward her with a smile on his face.

“Feel free to sleep more if you want.”, Max said while moving from the chair to sit on the edge of the bed.

Liz felt a pang in her chest that he has so much work, yet he stopped everything in order to come by her side. “How about you go to the office today?”

Max refused. “I know what you are thinking, but this is fine. I am exchanging texts and emails with Hunter and work is not suffering.”

“If you are there, things would be done faster.”

“True, but that can’t compare with my inner peace, by being here and seeing that you are fine.”

Max smiled while trying to suppress the negativity that engulfed him while Liz was unconscious. The reality that he almost lost her was suffocating.

“I am fine, Max.”, Liz assured him.

“I know… I can see that. If I am at the office, I would demand that you stay on a video chat with me all the time and that would disrupt my work much more than if I am working from here. I would be restless while thinking about the possibility that something might happen and you need help, yet I am half an hour away.”

Liz wondered if Max can be any sweeter. “I will be like this for weeks. Can you work from here for so long?”

Max shrugged. “Let’s think about next week, next week. Today, I am here to take care of you and when my services are not needed by the patient, I will work.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

Max smiled smugly. “I know. I am perfect. No one deserves me, yet I choose you. Aren’t you the lucky one?” He leaned closer and gave her a light kiss on the lips. “Let me know when you want breakfast or if you want to shower. Your medications are due in about…” Max glanced at the clock. “…one hour.”

Max helped Liz sit up with pillows at her back and gave her the laptop and a few more kisses before he returned to his work.

Liz opened her laptop without powering it on. She looked at Max’s handsome profile and remembered the rainy morning when they met. At that time, he was grumpy, and she would never imagine how that unpleasant man could be so sweet and caring.

Her thoughts trailed to their first lunch together, when they pretended to be dating, and when she thought that he was gay, and the first kiss which she totally misunderstood, and his boat (aka the thinking spot), and his grandmother’s house where they shared lunch under a cherry tree, and Hawaii trip, and so many other things that filled her chest with joy.

“What are you thinking?”, Max’s voice pulled Liz out of her daze.

“I am thinking about my perfect boyfriend. You are doing so many things for me that I’m not sure I am reciprocating equally.”

Max was pleasantly surprised by Liz’s words. “This is not a competition. You should do what you feel it’s right.”

“That’s the thing. I don’t know what I should do, and I have a feeling that what I am doing is not enough.”

“Hmm… Maybe you should ask our friend Google.” Max said and pointed at her laptop. “Search online what girls to for their boyfriends to make it enough.”

Max wiggled his eyebrows mischievously, making Liz giggle.

“You are really amazing, Max.”

Max bobbed his head. “Keep on going. Tell me more about how awesome I am.”

Liz pushed his shoulder playfully. “Why are you not working?”

“I was, but I saw you gawking at the amazing me, and I got distracted.”

Liz refused to continue this discussion, but she was glad that Max was in a good mood.

After breakfast and medications, Liz went back to sleep. The medications made her drowsy which is not necessarily a bad thing since she needs to rest and there is no quicker way to pass time than to sleep through the day.

In the evening Mia and Hunter arrived again and they brought dinner from one of the restaurants that was on the way.

After dinner, Mia and Liz chatted while Max and Hunter went to a different room to talk about work.

“How are you doing?”, Mia asked Liz.

Liz puffed her cheeks before responding. “It’s boring. I wish to go to work and keep busy, but I know that by moving around I risk agitating my injury and I should stay put. I don’t feel like reading or watching a movie, and my calendar for the next week is empty.”

“Boring? I thought that Max is staying with you.”

“He is, but… I wish that he goes to work. I am only distracting him, and I don’t need constant babysitting. The meds keep me drowsy and I sleep most of the time and when I’m awake I try to keep busy, but I can see that Max’s eyes are always on me.”

“So… you want him to go to work, but he does not want to leave you alone. Correct?”

Liz confirmed. “Correct.”

Mia thought of a solution: “Why don’t you go with him to work? He has a side suite, you can nap there when you are sleepy, and he gets to be in the office and do his work properly. If he goes to a meeting and you need something, there are Foxy and Hunter, or you can text Max to cut his meeting short.”

Liz thought that might work. As a bonus, she would get out of the apartment and see people (aka Hunter and Foxy). If Max is at work, then there is no need for Hunter to come in the evening and that can be a relaxing time for Max. “That sounds promising.”

Mia smiled smugly, happy that Liz likes the idea.

“While you are there, you get a chance to keep an eye on that woman called Irene.”

Liz’s mood fell when she heard Mia mention Irene. Meeting that woman is not Liz’s idea of relaxing. Before Liz could say anything, Mia switched the topic.

“Do you have plans for tomorrow?”

“What’s tomorrow?”

Mia rolled her eyes. “Valentine’s.”

Liz forgot about it but it’s not like it will make any difference. “No plans. I can’t go places, and with all the medications I am taking, I can’t drink either. We will probably order some food and watch television. You?”

“Hunter and I will head to the Snoqualmie pass. The snow is still good for skiing and he rented a cabin. We will go in the morning and return on Sunday evening.”

“Uuu…”, Liz almost-whistled. “Romantic evening while snuggling next to the fireplace.”

Mia grinned. “Day in the snow to chill, and evening by the fire in Hunter’s embrace to heat up. Sounds heavenly. Bri left for Hawaii with Quentin. They will also return on Monday morning.”

Liz’s mood fell and Mia noticed. “Are you OK?”

Liz let out a long breath. “I will be. It’s just that… Your plans reminded me that this is my first Valentine’s with a boyfriend, yet I am unable to do anything. And I can’t even complain because it’s all my fault for dragging all of you into the jungle. This is instant punishment… I feel like a failure.”

“You are not a failure, sweetie. And you need to stop blaming yourself for everything. No one knew how our jungle adventure will end. You are only depressed because you are in the bed without much to do.”

“I know.”, Liz admitted. “I focused on my work so much that I feel there is nothing other than work for me. I am a one-trick pony.”

Mia shrugged. “Use this as the perfect time to learn more tricks. Imagine if Max is not here and you are forced to stay in bed. At least he is giving you company.”

Liz agreed with Mia. Life without Max would be bland.

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