by J N Owens
This particular seminar is being held at the Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove. I don’t think we have ever had one at a hotel this nice. When we walk in through the front of the hotel, Stacey looks around, kind of like Little Orphan Annie did at Daddy Warbucks house.
“Woohoo, swanky,” she says on a laugh.
“I can’t take you anywhere.” I laugh at her. But I have to admit, the place is nice. Of course, we paid for it but the fact that it is somewhere this upscale speaks to the number of high-profile speakers coming this week. I am absolutely beside myself with elation. This is a doctor’s Disney World. Although I would be this excited at the actual Disney World, but I am a big kid as well as a nerd. When we walk through the front doors of the place I am immediately taken with the overwhelming size, it’s amazing. The walls look like white marble and there are giant columns that look like they are made of gold tiles. The floors are sparkling marble and granite inlaid tile, with a stunning round purple tufted settee in the middle of the foyer. Once we are done drooling over the place like we have never seen a nice thing in our lives, we go to the counter and check in. I booked a suite with two rooms—one for me and one for Stacey. She deserves this. After all, she has been with me since the beginning of my residency and she came with me to the children’s hospital. I love her like a sister, and I couldn’t make it through a day without her. She knows what I will do before I do it.
We make our way up to our room and walk in,
“Fucking hell Finley.” Stacey looks around the open living space. It splits off to the left and the right. A bedroom to each side. There is a large white sofa with sleek modern tables and gold mirrors on the walls. A large TV on one wall and windows all along the far wall, with a large balcony that wraps the entire length of the suite.
By the time we get settled and unpack for the week it’s about three. Stacey and I head down to get a bite to eat and decide to grab it outside to enjoy the weather. We get some drinks, a quick sandwich, and enjoy the pool for the rest of the afternoon. We notice some of the other doctors that are there for the seminars this week. However, it’s not until one comes out that I get a shit eating grin on my face. He hasn’t changed at all. Except maybe he has gotten more handsome. It is Noah, and just like that, all my feelings come rushing back. He is absolutely more gorgeous than I remember. He is sitting at the bar with another gentleman. I’m not sure who he is, so he probably isn’t that important. I have waited years for the chance to see him again. I have attended many conferences but we have never ended up at the same one. Luckily, this time we both have research we are presenting. His is fantastic, groundbreaking even.
So now, I’m basically just gawking at the guy, he hasn’t noticed me yet. He is pretending to listen to this other guy and is just staring past him looking like he could give zero fucks about what he is saying. I start laughing at one point because I hear boring guy ask him if he is listening. Because I am clearly eavesdropping, I laugh way too loud. Noah looks over and notices me for the first time. He has the most charming look on his face and winks. He fucking winks at me. I can feel the blush spread up my chest all the way up my throat and to my cheeks.
He turns his attention back to BG (Boring Guy), and says “I’m sorry Chuck, I got a little distracted for a moment, please continue.”
Stacey was obviously asleep or in a drunken stupor because she finally caught up to what was happening and looked over to me. “What are you gawking at? Who is that? He is absolutely yummy.”
“That my dear sex deprived friend, is the famous Dr. Beckett.” I try very hard to keep the excitement out of my voice, but it’s hard.
“Oh, that’s him? The one you have gushed about for so long?”
“Yes, that’s him.”
“Well, I can certainly see what you have been going on about. He is tasty. Yum yum, honey. I would climb him like a tree. I will take him if you don’t want him.” She waggles her eyebrows up and down.
“Oh, shut up you.” We both laugh. As I look up, I see Noah and Chuck, aka BG, coming our way. I freeze for moment. Maybe I didn’t scare him away with something I said. Thank the lord, because I need some of that sexiness that is coming my way. I wonder if he would go for another round of what we did back all those years ago? That smile. Fuck. I have fanny flutters, just from his smile. His lips are full and luscious, and the way he runs his tongue along the bottom one brings back memories of where those lips have been. It may have been years ago, but I have dreamed of him almost every night since. Thinking of how his hands have touched me, oh my! Yep, my nipples are so hard that they could cut glass and I’m soaked. Pretty sure everyone notices too, I’m in a damn bathing suit.
I realize I have been talking to myself long enough for them to make their way over to us when I look, and he is staring down at me. Dear God he is better up close. I’m not sure it’s possible but the man looks better than he did back when he was my teacher. You can tell he is older, but not by much. I guess he is coming up on 40 now and is still breath taking. I should absolutely be twat punched for even looking at him in a lustful way, but I can’t help it. Every woman sitting out by the pool is eying this perfect specimen of a man. He looks like a god, like Zeus himself. But like a modern, sophisticated, GQ type Zeus. He has that easy grace about him, like he doesn’t walk, he glides. He is leaning against the post of our private gazebo, and it’s just easy, relaxed. By the way he moves and stands, I can tell he is comfortable in his skin. He has golden hair that is trimmed neatly but not shaved with a light peppering of gray at the temples. He wears glasses that are thin wire frames and you can easily see his bright emerald green eyes underneath. His light, neatly trimmed beard is super sexy but very unusual for a doctor. But it’s so light, I don’t remember him having it before so I don’t think he has it all the time. It may just be for this week while on vacation. Either way, it works for him. His pictures in all his publishing don’t do him justice, he has to be at least six five, and trim and very fit. Everything about him is just easy and casual but put together. He has on loose hanging shorts that show off his beautiful abs dipping down into his shorts. His magnificent chest is perfectly chiseled with a slight peppering of hair right in between his pecs that just barely runs down the middle of his stomach and down into his shorts. I find myself following the line until I am staring at his crotch. Oh God, I’m staring at his crotch. I look up quickly, mortified that, yes, I was indeed caught ogling his man parts. He has a halfcocked grin on his face. Cheeky bastard. I feel like a total horn dog and I have got to stop. This is so inappropriate. Every time he looks at me, I blush. I finally come to my senses and realize he has asked me a question, three times. Its quit embarrassing.
“Finley, it’s so good to see you again. It has been way too long. You look stunning.” He has the most adorable smile on his face.
“Noah, it’s so good to see you too. It has been too long. You look amazing.” I stand up and hug him. His hands wrap around my waist as he pulls me close. Closer than just a friendly hug. Oh God, he feels so wonderful, and he smells like soap and eucalyptus. I get a throat clearing from Stacey. I let out a nervous laugh as I back up.
“Oh god, I’m so sorry. That was so rude of me, this is Stacey, she is one of my dearest friends and my nurse practitioner. Stacey this is Noah, Dr. Beckett. And I’m sorry I didn’t get your name sir.”
“Oh, I am so sorry, Dr. Williams, this is Dr. Finley Carson, Finley this Dr. Chuck Williams.” I reach out my hand to him immediately.
“Oh my God, Dr. Williams, from Chicago Children’s Hospital. I am a huge fan. I read all your research. You are such a fantastic doctor. It’s a pleasure to meet you sir.”
“Oh now, now, you don’t have to go on like that over ole Chuck here. This old geezer has to listen to people gush every day, he would rather just sit around and shoot the bull, wouldn’t you Chuck? Plus he’s as big a fan of yours as you are of him. We both are.” He pats Chuck on the back and they both laugh.
“Thank you, although Chuck probably won
’t want to have lunch with you anymore this week. That was rude.” I can’t help but laugh because Chuck really is boring and a dork. Stacey is laughing pretty hard too. But she is hiding it well though.
“I’m used to being called a geezer, and usually worse. But when you do the kind of work I do and save the lives I save, it’s worth it. I can handle being called whatever people want to call me as long as I get to save lives. Dr. Carson, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have read your research as well. You have a brilliant mind. I wanted you for our hospital in Chicago, but you declined.” Chuck says all this with a smile and the utmost sincerity.
“Yes sir, I know, and I was very appreciative of that offer. I have personal reasons for wanting to stay close to home. But you were my second pick.”
“Well, if you ever change your mind, we will always be glad to have you. And I can’t wait to hear your work this week.” He is smiling and Noah is looking on smiling as well.
“Thank you, sir. I look forward to what everyone has this week as well.” I am completely blown away and also feel like a bitch for calling one of the premier pediatric surgeons in the country boring. God I am so glad that was in my head. After that embarrassing exchange, I figure I won’t see or hear anything from either of them for the rest of the week. So, I am extremely surprised when Noah asks me, “So what are you ladies doing for dinner? I’m going out on a limb and assuming this is who you brought with you, so dinner is still on?”
I look at him for a minute, then it clicks. He thought I was bringing a boyfriend or a spouse. We haven’t spoken in years about anything other than work stuff. I wasn’t specific about who I was bringing. Of course. I’m such a ditz. “We don’t have plans, we would love to join you.”
“Great, we will meet you in the lobby say seven?” His eyes seem to light up as he waits for an answer.
“Sounds good. See you then.”
We get our stuff together and make our way to our room. As I’m getting ready for dinner, my mind starts going in circles just like it always does when I am alone. I always tend to overthink, and right now it’s causing old feelings to rise up. I have had this void in my heart for years. I think I have always felt he is someone that I should be with. He is comfortable to be with, and I was always happy around him. We are so similar that it’s easy to be myself with him. I have never felt that way about anyone else, just Noah. I thought I did with Scott, but it was so forced. Noah was always this kind of faraway thing that I thought would never happen, it was just feelings that I kept harbored. He was thousands of miles away and became this untouchable idea.
Now, he is right here in front of me. It’s feasible for something to happen. I may panic. He is kind of a rock star in the world of pediatrics, and I feel like a teenage girl crushing on her favorite boy band member. I may have a chance with my dream guy. How often does that happen? Of course, I have to tell myself, it’s not possible. This will not happen. We have different lives, and this is one week out of those lives. We live different lives, and I don’t know why I am even obsessing about the situation. He hasn’t given me anything to contemplate. It’s dinner, just dinner. That’s it. I leave with no expectations at all. Food, just food. He does not in any way see me the way I see him. He has never mentioned our night of passion, I’m keeping it in my head, that to him, that was a one night thing. I will never assume any different. This is business, just friends. That’s my mantra for the night.
The four of us head out around 8 to a little Cuban place down from the hotel. It smells amazing. But is there any bad place to eat in Miami? We sit at a little table in the back where its quiet and we can hear ourselves talk at least. Once we have our drinks the tension starts to ease and the conversation flows. The drinks keep coming, and we laugh, eat, drink more, laugh even harder, drink another round, and dance. It is the best time I have had in a long time.
Before I know it, it’s 2am and we are walking back to the hotel. Stacey and I have our shoes in our hands, walking arm in arm, singing loudly through the streets. I haven’t done this since college, or was it med school? Oh, nope wait, me and the girls did this last month for the fourth. Oops. I guess I have been doing this a little too much lately. Poor Chuck. He looks like he is about keel over. He must be pushing 70, but he hung with us until the very end. Once he loosened up, he was actually a pretty fun guy. Turns out he and Noah have done a few projects and seminars together. Noah likes working with him and has grown to really care about him and his family. When Chucks wife passed last year, Noah was there for him to help him get through it and helped him with his work schedule and whatever else he needed. At the beginning of the night I was in awe of Noah because of what we shared, now it’s because I see what’s underneath. He is compassionate and caring, loving and sharing. I knew all of this before, but it seems to have multiplied since then. His brilliance as a doctor has grown as well. Okay, I have got to stop, I am only going to be let down. We make it back to the hotel in one piece. The guys walk us all the way to our room and we say goodnight.
Next thing I know my alarm is blaring. Its 7am and I have to get ready for the first seminar. I am regretting last night. I feel terrible, but hopefully a shower and some clean clothes will help me feel like a human again. My hair gets thrown up today because I just cannot see me doing anything else. I stand in the bathroom for I’m not sure how long just looking at myself in the mirror. I have huge circles under my bloodshot eyes. I have no color in my face and I feel like I have the whole cotton industry in my mouth. Stacey comes bopping in like she just slept for a week and wasn’t out drinking all night. How the fuck does she do that? I want to punch her in her tit. The bitch. She brings me a cup of coffee and some Tylenol.
“You need to make sure to drink lots of water today. I’m heading out, my nurses lecture starts in thirty minutes. I’ll meet you for lunch at 11:30?”
She is walking out the door as I yell back,
“Yep. I am a doctor I know how to take care of myself.” I hear laughing as the door shuts. I will say it again, she is a bitch. I love her though. I laugh a little at the thought. I guess we go good together.
I make my way down to the main conference room. There are long tables set up in the room, with white table clothes and water pitchers on them with glasses. There is a coffee station at the back as well. And not just a regular coffee station but an espresso one, so I can make an extra strong coffee. There is food set up down from that so there are people lined up getting food before they sit down. I hope I am early enough to get a good seat. They have set out notebooks for everyone and pens. I’m not really sure who would come to one of these not prepared with notebooks or a computer, but I always come ready to take notes. I have my mac book with me so I can get all the info I can.
I grab a bagel and a banana with my coffee and get a seat up front. I get my computer out and set it up, so I’ll be ready to go when he starts. As I’m turning it on, I look up and there he is, standing right in front of me. Noah is leaning casually on the table with his arms crossed looking down at me with a smirk on his face. It startles me a little.
“Oh my god, you scared the shit out of me. What are you doing?” I ask as he lets out a laugh.
“I was just going up to get set up and start when I saw you, so I wanted to say hi. How are feeling this morning?”
“I feel like shit. Honestly. Stacey was running around like it was any other day and she hadn’t drunk enough to drown an elephant last night. She is a complete bitch though. What about you? And Chuck? If I feel this bad, he must be horrible.” I laugh when I say it, so he knows I’m kidding. He gives me the cutest little chuckle,
“I am fine. I drank a lot of water before I went to bed, so I’m well. And Chuck is good too. He has some magical hangover cure he does after he drinks, and it works like a charm. He won’t tell me what it is. He is a stingy ole bastard. He said he left it to me in his will.” I can’t help but laugh at that. I love that they have that kind of relationship. “Well I better get up there and start.”
“Yeah, you probably should. I’ll see you after.” He gives me a little wink. Sexy ass bastard. Then, he makes his way up to start his lecture.
Two hours later, the lecture ends, and I am so happy I came. That was amazing. He is so brilliant. I can’t believe I have 2 more days of just this lecture. This is incredible. I stay in my seat packing up, while he talks to a few people. He makes his way to me.
“Do you want to grab some lunch. It’s a little early but there was another lecture I wanted to make at 12:30, so I figure if we go now, we could make that one.” It’s hard to deny the obvious gleam in his eye. I love that he has the same love for medicine that I do.
“Sure. That sounds good, what did you have in mind? I’m starving.” I look up and smile at him.
“There is nice little place just around the corner.”
We go over to a little Italian place and grab a quick pizza. It’s so good. Stacey meets us there as well. So, it’s a nice lunch, with good conversation. Anytime Stacey is there you are sure to laugh.
The rest of the day goes pretty quickly. Tuesday and Wednesday are the same as well until Wednesday afternoon rolls around. It’s time for my lecture, and I am so nervous. I hate speaking in front of people. It’s only 2 hours and I have most of it on power point so it’s not like I have to have it memorized. I do, of course, but if I get mixed up it’s all on the slides. I also have videos to refer to. I am just really starting to freak out. Most of the people here are much older than me. It’s very odd to be presenting research at my age. Stacey, Noah, and Chuck are all front and center. You would think that would make me feel more secure, but it makes me more nervous. I get up to the podium and look out at the doctors, surgeons, and pharmacists out there looking at me, this is it, this is what all my hard work has led to.