"Liv?" the doctor repeated. "What's wrong?"
Olivia hesitated. She'd come all this way without having the words to explain, without even knowing what she wanted Dr. Huang to do or say. "Doc, I'm… I'm having some trouble. I know it's late and I'm sorry-"
He cut her off. "No, no come in." He ushered her through the door and shut it behind her. "Liv, this is my partner David. David, Olivia's a friend from work. You can go back to bed, I've got it."
David planted a bleary kiss on Huang's forehead. "All right, love. Nice to meet you, Olivia." He nodded at her and padded back into the depths of the apartment, closing a door behind him.
"I didn't know you were in a relationship," said Olivia, surprise momentarily distracting her.
"We've been together for three years now," said Huang absently. "He's a good man." He yawned and blinked, looking at her. "But I'm betting you didn't come to my home at three in the morning to discuss my romantic bliss."
She shook her head wryly. "Not that I'm not thrilled for you, of course."
"Of course," he quirked a grin. "Can I make you some tea?"
"Yeah, thanks."
Huang led her through a darkened hallway into a small kitchen, decorated in light woods and soft blues. Olivia sat at a wooden barstool, watching as her colleague pulled a grey kettle from a cabinet, filled it from the sink, and set it on the stove.
"We have all sorts of tea, but I think the only decaf we have is peppermint and chamomile." He rummaged for a moment in a drawer. "There's also a decaf chai mix if you'd like something a bit more substantial.
"Chai would be great, thanks."
He pulled out two red packets and turned on the stove, then settled against the counter to watch the steady flame under the kettle.
TBC