Liz is back to 'friendly' with Hunter (cont.)

Liz closed the door after she said bye to Hunter and turned to Olivia who was staring at her without blinking.

"What?", Liz asked. She can tell that Olivia's head is full of ideas. Probably something crazy. Who knows what she is imagining?

Olivia's expression showed that she heard the whole exchange between Liz and Hunter. She was standing behind the door and eavesdropping.

"You are dating Max Anderson?", Olivia asked under her breath.

That question was a confirmation to Liz that Olivia is full of crazy ideas.

Liz sighed while preparing for what is coming. "What makes you think that?"

"Are you going to deny it? I heard you talk to Hunter. Max told his family that you are his girlfriend, and you used him as a boyfriend? And you said that I should not encourage such behavior? You USED Max freaking Anderson?! How was it?"

"It's nothing like that…" Liz shook her head helplessly. Olivia's imagination is crazier than what she thought.

Olivia has no intention of letting this go. "Really? I also heard that Hunter used you? Just what is going on? Are you three involved into something funky? You just moved in two days ago! Do you know each other from before?"

"It was just a lunch. Max is my neighbor, and Hunter is his brother. I am not in a relationship with any of them. Those are the facts, and everything else is a misunderstanding. Please don't let your imagination run wild…"

Olivia can see that Liz is not willing to talk about it anymore. And based on Liz's expression, Olivia believes her. But all this still sounds complicated. "Is this related to the issues that Max has?"

"What issues?"

"The ones that Hunter mentioned…" Olivia reminded Liz: "Hunter said that Max has his own issues and that one day he will tell you about it. Maybe."

"I don't know.", Liz shrugged. "Both of them are jokesters, so there is a chance that the issues Hunter mentioned are a part of some joke. And I don't see what issues Max might have. He seems fine. Let's not talk about it…"

Olivia waved her hands dismissively. "Sure, sure… I want to discuss some changes in our current arrangement. Can this job come with a lunch included? Next time when you have a lunch with Anderson brothers, one or both, take me with you. And if EVER any of them invites you to a museum, for a walk, or anything and you don't feel like going, remember that I am ALWAYS available to act as your substitute."

Liz stifled a laugh. This girl is love-crazy. It seems that she gets enamored easily. Liz can imagine that Olivia's room has walls filled with posters of boy bands and other handsome eye-candies.

Liz was surprised to see that Hunter is calling her again. Is he going to call her every five minutes? Should she answer?

…

Few minutes earlier…

Hunter went to the apartment across the hall happily. He felt victorious that he got back on friendly terms with Liz. Well, maybe not friendly-friendly, but after few minutes of talking over the phone while looking at each other, he managed to make her laugh. That counts for something… actually, considering that she didn't give her phone number to Max, and he has it… he has to go and rub it in.

He searched in the living room, terrace, kitchen… and found Max in the bed.

"Still sleeping? I thought that by now you are in the gym downstairs… probably done with it…"

Hunter went to the window and opened the curtains, letting the daylight inside the spacious master suite.

Max frowned at the sudden light and put a pillow over his head.

Hunter sat on the edge of the bed. "I spoke to Liz. She forgave me. We are friends now." Seeing that Max is not responsive, Hunter added: "I have her phone number."

Max removed the pillow and scrutinized Hunter. "You are lying."

Hunter smirked, got his phone and dialed Liz. He put it on speaker.

It took a while for Liz to pick up.

"Hi, Hunter… did you forget something?", Liz answered in a sweet voice (the same exaggerated one she used previously in the hallway).

Hunter cleared his throat and responded in a voice deeper than usually (the one he uses when he charms the girls): "I just wanted to say how I'm glad that you have no grudges against me and that we are friends."

"Oh… well… OK? Bye.", Liz ended the call and wondered, 'What was that about?'

Hunter grinned while waving his phone in front of Max's face.

"Give me her number.", Max grumbled.

"If I give you her number, will you call her? What will you say? How did you get her number?", Hunter teased.

Hunter laughed when he saw Max's frown and kept his phone away. "If you want her number, you need to work for it. What kind of a friend would I be if I just give her number away to anyone who asks? … I have an idea! You can ask Liz to give you her number. Oh, you did, and she rejected you!"

Max threw a pillow at Hunter. "Get out!"

Hunter could never have enough from teasing Max. But eventually, he stopped.

"What are you going to do about her?"

"About who?", Max pretended that he does not understand.

"About Liz.", Hunter saw that Max has no intention of responding, so he asked: "Are you going to deny that you met a girl who got your attention?"

Max sighed. "No. But she does not want to have anything to do with me."

How he sees it, leaving things as-is is probably better. Last time he met a girl who got his attention he got burned.

Hunter can see that Max is running away from whatever feelings Liz invoke in him. He decided to push his brother's buttons. "So, you are giving up? Fine, fine… then, can I have her?"

"What do you mean?"

Hunter was pleased to see that he got Max's attention. "She is very attractive. Also, she is smart, and funny and successful. Even Rina said that Liz is a keeper. If you are not interested, I might make my move on her."

"Since when are you asking for my permission?", Max did his best to look cool, but Hunter noticed that his brother is agitated.

"I saw you two yesterday. You looked like a couple without trying. I know that if you give up, you will regret it. I think that she is an amazing young woman, and I don't plan to have regrets."

Max smirked. "Do whatever you want."

"You are telling me that you will be OK if Liz is my girlfriend?"

"No. I'm telling you that you don't have a chance with her.", Max confidently responded.

Hunter was offended by that remark. "Don't forget, I'm the one with her number."

Max shrugged indicating that it's not important. "And that is as far as you will go."

…

That evening, Liz was enjoying the night view of the Seattle's great wheel with a cup of warm milk from her terrace.

She is excited that the real thing starts tomorrow! Back to work! She gets her office, her patients. Exams, diagnostics, finding the best treatment, and of course, surgeries. Ah! That is her comfort zone.

Last few days were filled with those two Anderson brothers and Olivia and it was something different for Liz. Different should be good, but she looks forward to going back to what she loves to do. All those games and schemes are not her cup of tea.

Liz wanted to call her dad, but she saw that it's late on the East Coast. He is probably sleeping. She sent him a text message, finished her milk and headed to get ready for the night.

Tomorrow is her first day, so she will meet with Chairman Lee and find out who from the senior staff will be her mentor until she establishes herself, and also they will decide her schedule. Exciting!

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