The crisp, decisive answer made Eleanor swallow the rest of her words. She looked at the man standing against the light.


    He was wearing a casual zer, which softened the sharp edge he had in business settings, giving him a more rxed and easygoing air. But hisposed presence remained.


    "Well... I''ll see youter then. I''m going back to the hotel to rest," Eleanor said.


    "Let''s get something to eat first,"n said in a low voice. He hade to pick her up.


    The conference was over, and Eleanor felt a wave of relief wash over her. She nodded. "Okay."


    They walked along a tree-lined path on campus. The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. In the distance,


    groundskeepers were mowing thewn, and the scent of fresh-cut grass drifted


    over.


    Eleanor took a deep breath, watching the students hurry by with books in their arms. She couldn''t help but think of her own student days and smiled to herself. "Thinking about your university days?"n nced at her, guessing her thoughts. Eleanor nodded. "Yeah. I used to be just like them, always in a rush."


    "Do


    you


    I miss it?"n asked.


    Eleanor thought for a moment and nodded. "I do. Life was so carefree and full of energy back then."


    They didn''t talk much, but the atmosphere was peaceful and natural for both of them.


    Eleanor looked up, surprised. "How do you know about that?"


    The concept he''d mentioned was from a paper recently published in a medical journal, one she had just read herself.


    Some of what''s said in your


    meetings and reports."


    Pet


    Eleanor thought back to when she had to give him weekly reports on the leukemia project. He had seemed like he didn''t understand, but the questions he''d asked had been quite sharp.


    Eleanor paused, her fork hovering over her steak. She looked up. "I thought you weren''t interested in any of that. Could you even understand it?"


    Eleanor couldn''t help but say, "The medical field can be dry and difficult for ayperson. You don''t have to waste your time on it next time."


    Eleanor didn''t press the issue. They ate infortable silence. Compared to before, it felt like something between them was gradually changing.


    After dinner, they walked back to the hotel. The dinner was at eight, and Eleanor needed to change into a dress.


    Walking the streets of this unfamiliar city, a sense of ease washed over her. The setting sun stretched their shadows long, making them almost ovep.


    "It starts at eight tonight, in the auditorium," Eleanor said, checking the time. "Let''s get some rest."


    "Okay. I''ll meet you in the lobby at seven-thirty,"n said. Eleanor nodded.


    Back in her room, Eleanor took a shower to wash away her fatigue. She opened her suitcase to choose a dress for the evening. She hadn''t packed much besides her daily suits, there was only one blue dress. It was knee-length, with a tasteful cut, a very proper and conventional choice.