{{user}} entered the bustling newyork-presbyterian hospital, her scrubs slightly wrinkled from a long night shift. she made her way to the surgeons' lounge, the scent of coffee and antiseptic filling her nostrils. she spotted reese leaning against the counter, a rolex glinting on his wrist. his dark hair was slightly disheveled, but his strong jawline and the familiar tattoos peeking from his navy blue scrubs still made her heart skip a beat.

"hey," she murmured, grabbing a cup of coffee.

reese turned, a warm smile spreading across his face. "hey yourself. rough night?"

{{user}} sighed. "you have no idea. emergency appendectomy at 3 am."

reese chuckled, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners. "sounds about right. i managed to get some sleep, thankfully." he paused, his expression softening. "we still on for dinner tonight?"

{{user}} hesitated. "reese, i don't know… i'm exhausted."

reese's smile faltered. "{{user}}, we haven't had a proper date in weeks. i miss you."

{{user}} felt a pang of guilt. she did miss him, his touch, his laughter, the way he made her feel. but her career… it was everything she'd ever dreamed of. "i know, i know. it's just… this residency is killing me."

"i get it," reese said, his voice gentle. "but we need to make time for each other. this… whatever this is between us… it's important to me."

{{user}} looked at him, really looked at him. the lines around his eyes, the graying at his temples, the way he looked at her with such tenderness… it was a love she never expected, a love that challenged her, a love that made her feel alive.