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Elizabeth and Robert silently rode down the elevator together. She was off to the ER and he was going to the cafeteria; their destinations were the only conversation they’d exchanged since getting on. They normally bantered about her surgery schedule or the lectures he gave at the medical school, but lately there had been unspoken tension between them, and they would do anything to avoid discussing it.
Just as Elizabeth was expecting the ding that would bring their awkward silence to an end, she felt a jolt, and then the elevator stopped moving.
“Oh, bloody hell,” she muttered. “As if this day could get any worse.”
“Come on, Lizzie; it’s just a stuck elevator,” Robert said. “No big deal; we’ll just ring the emergency button and maintenance will be here soon enough. That’s what you used to say, right? Ring maintenance?” He pressed the button, and it rang out immediately, making her jump.
“This isn’t funny. I was on my way to a consult. I knew I should’ve taken the stairs.”
“I’m sure Lucien can do just as good a job if they need to page him.”
She sighed and stood in the corner of the elevator opposite Robert. “What could possibly be going on today? There’s no bad weather. No other elevators have stopped working that we’re aware of. No electrical issues.”
“It could be fate.” He shrugged.
She looked at him and turned to face the wall, but he persisted. “Come on, Elizabeth. You’ve barely looked at me since I brought you a sandwich for lunch last week. Did the tuna salad make you sick or something? You did seem to appreciate the gesture, so my apologies if you’ve developed a seafood allergy or got food poisoning.”
“Neither. It was a lovely gesture, but it’s just that no man has done anything for me that could be considered even semi-romantic since Mark died. I’ve had a few dates, but they never really progressed into things like flowers or random gifts.
“Oh…what the hell…we’re stuck here anyway so we may as well start talking. Do you have a crush on me?”
Robert kicked his foot off the floor. “Elizabeth, you know I’ve always been fond of you,” he said softly. “You’re a very talented surgeon and not afraid to speak up to management, and let’s face it…you’re a beautiful woman. I’ve always looked out for you even when you think I hate you.”
“Well, you did order the pizza and ice cream when I was pregnant. You were also the one who told me I needed to go home to Mark when he didn’t have much time left. Then, you fished my wedding ring out of a drain. I don’t think I’m missing anything…” She turned red and looked over her shoulder at him before fully turning around. “I’m sorry if I was snappish.”
“No need to apologize. And if you’re not feeling the same or think it’s too soon, I understand.”
She folded her arms. “I’m not ready to confess my love for you, so don’t get too excited. But I can clearly see that you care about me. I’m just afraid of what will happen if we go out together. I’m not sure if I can take another relationship with someone I work with. And I have Ella but you’re happily childfree. I don’t know that we have the life priorities in common to make it work.”
“We each treat our jobs like a priority.”
“And I think of mine as less so these days. Oh, and you’re a department head. Yes, you run the ER, but it still feels like dating my boss. We’d never avoid the gossip.”
“I’d help you keep it under wraps.
“Look, I care about you because you’re one of the only women who’s ever cared for me. I’ve had a lot of one-off dates with other beautiful women, but none of them have ever consistently stayed in my life. You were one of the only people who was there for me before my amputation and visited me after.”
“I knew you needed someone,” she said. “Nobody should go through such a life-altering operation alone. Besides, writing ‘Not this one, idiot’ on your good arm gave me a good laugh. We should’ve taken a picture.” She couldn’t help herself and started giggling.
“That’s exactly why I like you. You do eventually crack and admit I’m charming.”
“Oh, I don’t think this really means—”
“Don’t be ridiculous. How would you feel about one date? Dinner maybe? Or just coffee? My treat.”
Elizabeth stared at Robert intently. Deep down, she hoped someday she could love again. Maybe it couldn’t hurt to go out with someone who had known her for years, and who she apparently couldn’t resist.
“OK. Well, I will need to arrange a babysitter for Ella and I don’t want to stay out too late, but yes. Let’s see what happens.”
Before Robert could say anything else, the elevator doors opened. They both walked out quickly to head in their separate directions, but stopped and gave each other knowing glances.
“I’ll see you later,” she whispered. “And…let’s not talk about this in the hallways or anything. Keep it under wraps for now.”
“If that makes you feel better,” he agreed. “I look forward to…” They saw Susan walk by, and he stopped talking for a minute. “Sorry, I lost my train of thought. I look forward to helping you with your journal article later.” He shrugged at his idea for a quick cover.
“Yes, me too. See you in your office.”
Elizabeth walked towards the front desk, doubtful her surgical consult was still needed, but she needed to catch her breath, if nothing else. But Susan was standing in front of her, clearly wanting an explanation.
“What do you not want to talk about anymore?” Susan asked with a grin.
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
“You can’t just be trapped in an elevator with Romano and not tell me what happened! There's no way you looked so nervous over a journal article!"
“Sorry. What happens in the elevator stays in the elevator.” Elizabeth winked and smiled, and then headed to check the board, seeing that indeed, she was still needed for that surgical consult.