#sam zanetti

“I can’t make it tonight,” Ava’s voice interrupted the conversation Connor was having with Sam, not really worried about busting into their discussion. The two other surgeons looked at her questioningly, a bit of annoyance on Connor’s face.

“Ava, we’ve had this planned for weeks. You said you’d go with us to Molly’s for the playoffs.”

“I know, but something came up.”

Sam looked at the CT fellow for a moment, just observing her in the way only Sam did. She noted that Ava had taken the time to curl her hair that day, ringlets falling into her eyes despite it being pulled into a half ponytail for work. She was wearing a bit more makeup than usual, nothing too fancy but certainly more eyeshadow than the woman ever did on surgery days. She certainly had time to plan for whatever she was ditching them for, if that and her evident nerves were any indication.

“Something came up or you have plans with your med student?”

“Sam,” Ava groaned a little, “Don’t start.”

“I didn’t do a thing,” she replied smoothly, “Just a question.”

Connor set down his coffee cup, glancing between the two women for a moment before realizing what Sam said was obvious, “You’re skipping out on us for Reese?”

“Connor.”

“Ava,” he replied in a mocking tone, “What happened to being subtle and not fraternizing with your students?”

“It's strictly professional.”

“Yeah sure.”

Sam had fallen silent to watch their bickering in amusement, sipping at the bottle of sweet tea she had been carrying around. In reality it was Ava’s business and she knew she wouldn’t do anything to actually risk her career or Sarah’s at Gaffney. If she said it was business then who was Sam to believe otherwise? Ava wasn’t Connor, after all.

“You’re one to talk about professionalism. You don’t see me showboating my one night stands through the CT unit, do you?”

“Low blow,” the man retorted, “It was one time.”

“And that’s fucking pathetic,” Ava laughed as she nudged his shoulder with the edge of her tablet, “We know you’re all about quick ins and outs, Connor, don’t try and compare my assisting a student to your whorish ways.”