Page 29 of Dr. Lillian Harrington
Lillian set the phone down on her coffee table, her heart still pounding as she waited for a reply. The minutes dragged on, and she found herself checking the screen every few seconds, anxiety bubbling in her chest. Maybe Rebecca had said all she wanted to say. Maybe this would go nowhere, just like all the other times when things between them had started to feel real, only for Rebecca to pull away again.
Then, her phone buzzed. Lillian snatched it up, her pulse quickening.
Can’t we just meet?
Lillian’s breath caught in her throat. She could feel the tension, the need in those simple words, but there was also something missing.Meet? Was that all Rebecca wanted—another late-night encounter, another moment where they could be physical but nothing more?
No. Not this time.
Lillian’s fingers flew over the keyboard as she typed a response, a decision forming in her mind.
A date, Rebecca. A real one.
She hit send before she could second-guess herself, her stomach flipping with nerves. This was it. She was tired of the games, tired of feeling like their relationship only existed in the shadows. If Rebecca wanted her, she would have to show it. No more hiding.
The next day at the hospital, Lillian ran into Benji during one of her rare breaks between rounds. He spotted her across the hallway and waved, his easy grin lighting up his face as he jogged over.
"Hey, you," he said, playfully nudging her shoulder. "You look like you’ve got something on your mind. What’s up?"
Lillian smiled, grateful for Benji’s presence. He had been her anchor in the chaos of the hospital, always knowing how to lighten the mood. But today, she wasn’t in the mood for jokes.
"Do I really look that distracted?" she asked, leaning back against the wall.
Benji gave her a once-over, raising an eyebrow. "I know that look. It’s the ‘I’m thinking about someone, but I don’t know if I should tell them what I’m thinking’ look."
Lillian sighed, glancing around to make sure no one was listening before lowering her voice. "It’s Rebecca Lang.”
Benji’s playful expression softened, his tone becoming more serious. "Ah. Dr. Ice Queen herself. What’s she done this time?"
Lillian hesitated, unsure of how much she wanted to say. She had never confided in Benji about the full extent of her relationship with Rebecca. He knew they had some sort of connection, but he didn’t know about the late-night meetings, the secret touches, or the unspoken tension between them.
"I don’t know what to do," she admitted, running a hand through her hair. "She sent me this message last night—just...something that felt like a step forward. But I don’t know if I can keep doing this. I feel like I’m always waiting for her to push me away again."
Benji studied her for a moment, his usual teasing demeanor gone. "Lils, you know I’ve got your back no matter what, but are you sure this is worth it? I mean, I know Rebecca’s hot and all, but if she’s messing with your head?—"
"It’s not just that," Lillian interrupted, shaking her head. "I mean, yeah, she’s hard to read, but I think there’s something more to her. Something she’s afraid to show. I just...I don’t know how long I can wait for her to open up."
Benji crossed his arms, leaning against the wall beside her. "So what are you going to do?"
Lillian bit her lip, glancing down at her phone. "I asked her out. On a real date. No more hiding, no more sneaking around. If she wants this to work, she has to show me she’s willing to be with me out in the open."
Benji let out a low whistle. "Damn. That’s bold. You sure she’ll go for it?"
"I don’t know," Lillian said honestly. "But I need to know if she’s willing to meet me halfway."
Benji clapped her on the shoulder, his grin returning. "Well, if anyone can melt the Ice Queen’s heart, it’s you. And if she says no, just know I’m always here to take you out for tequila shots and nachos."
Lillian laughed, feeling some of the tension lift from her chest. "Thanks, Benji. I’ll let you know how it goes."
That evening, after her shift, Lillian sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone. No reply from Rebecca yet. Her heart pounded in her chest, nerves twisting in her stomach. She had laid it all out there and asked for more than just another secret encounter. And now, all she could do was wait.
She was about to set her phone down when it buzzed. Rebecca.
Lillian opened the message, her heart in her throat.
Okay. A date.
Lillian exhaled, a smile tugging at her lips. Relief washed over her, mixed with anticipation. This was it. The first step toward something real.
