Page 30 of Dr. Lillian Harrington
She quickly typed a response.
Friday night. I’ll pick the place.
As she hit send, Lillian couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement. It wasn’t going to be easy, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like they were moving in the right direction.
And for now, that was enough.
Friday started with promise. Lillian woke up with a sense of excitement buzzing beneath her skin. She had been looking forward to this day all week—her first real date with Rebecca, the chance to finally break free from the secrecy and formality that had defined their relationship for so long. The thought of seeing Rebecca outside the hospital, away from the weight of their professional lives, made her heart race in anticipation.
She had spent Thursday night planning. She found the perfect restaurant, a cozy little place tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, where they could have privacy and just...be. It wasn’t anything fancy, just somewhere with good food and a low-key atmosphere. Something simple and real, exactly what they needed. Lillian had even picked out a dress, a soft navy number that wasn’t too formal but still felt like she’d made an effort.
But, as things often went in their world, Friday quickly spiraled into chaos.
The day started with back-to-back rounds, and from the moment she stepped foot into the hospital, everything seemed to go wrong. Her pager never stopped buzzing—patients had complications, surgeries ran longer than expected, and just when she thought she might catch a break, one of her colleagues needed her help with a particularly difficult case.
Lillian had been in the OR for hours, the clock ticking well past 7:30 p.m. by the time she finally peeled off her gloves, her body aching from the stress and exhaustion. She glanced at her watch, her heart sinking as she realized how late it had gotten. There was no way she would make their original dinner reservation.
She wiped the sweat from her brow, trying to push down the frustration bubbling up inside her. She had really wanted this night to be perfect. Their first real date. Something that wasn’t rushed or hidden. But now, everything was falling apart.
Rebecca was having a day like hers too. Lillian had caught a glimpse of her earlier, storming down one of the hallways with a determined look on her face, speaking quickly into her phone. Rebecca had her game face on, all business, and Lillian could tell she was dealing with just as much chaos as she was.
By the time Lillian finally had a second to herself, it was nearly 8:00 p.m., and she hadn’t even texted Rebecca yet. She grabbed her phone from her pocket and typed out a quick message, her fingers hovering over the keyboard before hitting send.
I’m stuck at work, but I’ve adjusted our reservation. I’ll pick you up at 9 p.m. instead.
She sent the text and waited, her heart beating a little faster as the minutes ticked by. She didn’t know how Rebecca would react—if she’d be frustrated by the change or indifferent, as she often was. Lillian knew how much Rebecca valued her time, and the last thing she wanted was for her to feel like Lillian wasn’t making an effort. But this was out of her control.
Her phone buzzed in her hand a minute later.
Okay.
The one-word reply made Lillian’s chest tighten. Rebecca wasn’t exactly known for lengthy, emotional responses, but the flatness of it stung more than she’d like to admit. She had hoped for a little more...something. Excitement, maybe. But there was none of that in the message. Just a simple, impersonal okay.
Still, Lillian wasn’t going to let it ruin the night. She had already decided to make the best of whatever time they had together, no matter how the day had gone. If anything, they both deserved a break after the hellish day they’d had.
She rushed through the last few tasks of her shift, making sure everything was in order before she could leave the hospital. By the time she finally stepped out into the cool night air, her body ached from the long hours on her feet, but she pushed the exhaustion aside.
As she walked toward her car, she sent another quick text to Rebecca.
"I’m on my way. Be ready in 15."
Lillian drove through the city, her thoughts spinning. She wanted to shake off the stress of the day, focus on the fact that this was their night. Despite everything that had gone wrong, she was determined to make this work. They needed this night to be something real, something that didn’t feel like a fleeting moment stolen in a hospital corridor.
When Lillian arrived at Rebecca’s apartment building, she parked her car and shot Rebecca a text letting her know she was outside. As she waited, she glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror, quickly running a hand through her hair and smoothing out the fabric of her shirt. She still had her scrubs folded up in the back seat, but she had managed to freshen up before leaving the hospital, throwing on the dress pants and loose fitting button down shirt she had planned for tonight. She wanted to look good—for herself and for Rebecca.
The building’s front door opened, and Lillian’s breath caught as she watched Rebecca step out.
Even in the dim glow of the streetlights, Rebecca looked incredible. She had changed out of her work clothes, tight jeans hugging her curves perfectly, her dark hair falling in loose waves around her face. She looked composed, but Lillian could see thefaint lines of stress still etched into her features, the weight of the day still lingering in her posture.
Lillian got out of the car and opened the passenger door for Rebecca. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, neither of them said anything. The air between them was thick with tension, but it wasn’t the kind of tension Lillian was used to. It wasn’t the hot, simmering attraction that usually crackled between them. This felt...heavy.
"Rough day?" Lillian asked, her voice soft as Rebecca slid into the seat.
Rebecca nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You could say that."
Lillian shut the door and circled around to the driver’s side, sliding into her seat. She glanced over at Rebecca, feeling the weight of the silence between them. This wasn’t how she had imagined their night going. She had wanted something light, something that would break the tension between them, but now it felt like they were both carrying the weight of the entire world on their shoulders.
"I’m sorry we had to change plans," Lillian said, starting the engine and pulling away from the curb. "I know you’re probably exhausted."
