The next few weeks passed quickly and even though Sebastian kept his distance, he sent me a rose with a note every week. Bev got really excited every time she brought it in to me because she thought that I had some special secret admirer. The notes were always short but very sweet; things like, ‘you look beautiful today' or ‘can't get you off my mind'. I thought about him all the time. I started to doubt my reasons for staying away from him and I found that I missed him like crazy.
One Friday evening I was working late when I heard a knock at my door and looked up to see Sebastian standing there looking gorgeous as ever.
"Hi, do you have a minute?"
"Sure, come in." I was happy to see him but I didn't want him to know that.
He sat in a chair across from my desk. "My brothers will be in town next week to discuss strategy for a new hotel we are opening and I would like for you to be in that meeting."
I was completely shocked. "Really?"
"Yes, your marketing ideas have been brilliant and to have you on board during the launch of a new hotel will be invaluable. We are opening a new hotel in Dubai in two years and we break ground early next year. It is a very exciting time for us and I want you involved from the beginning."
"Wow, thank you Sebastian, thank you for the opportunity. Do I need to prepare anything for the meeting next week?"
"No, it will just be an informational meeting going over the proposed timeline for everything. The meeting will be at 2:00 next Wednesday so have Bev block off three hours for you."
"Okay, I will. So I will get to meet Spencer and Shane, huh?"
"Yes."
"Your father won't be there?"
"No, he's not really involved at this level."
I instantly felt nervous when he told me his brothers would be there. It was totally intimidating and I didn't know that I had the nerve to actually show up, but I knew I had to.
"Okay, I will be there."
"Good, I think it will be good exposure for you."
I really appreciated that. "Thanks."
He sat there for a minute, looking down at the floor, and then he raised his eyes to mine.
"I miss you, Elena." His eyes were unwavering.
I didn't know what to say to that because it was still too soon for me to think about us in that way. Nothing had changed since our previous conversation and I wanted him to get his shit together first.
"Sebastian, I can't." I didn't want to hurt his feelings and even though I missed him too, I just wasn't ready for anything with him.
He took a deep breath, tore his sad eyes away from mine, stood and walked toward the door. He stopped and turned before he left.
"I meant it when I said I'm not giving up on us."
He closed my door quietly behind him and I dropped my head in my hands, raking my fingers through my hair. What am I going to do about you Sebastian Blu?
Chapter Fifteen – Blu Men Group
Wednesday morning I arrived at work at 7:00 a.m. because my stomach had been in knots all night and I couldn't sleep anticipating the big meeting with Sebastian and his brothers. When I saw the first peek of daylight I hopped out of bed and took my time getting ready making sure that I looked super professional.
I had brainstormed some ideas for the meeting even though Sebastian said it would be informational because I wanted to show them that I had good ideas. There was a definite buzz in the office that day and everyone seemed excited that all of the brothers would be there. Bev was acting like an excited schoolgirl, buzzing around my office. From everyone's reaction you would have thought that these men were pop stars or movie stars or something.
As 2:00 drew near I became increasingly nervous. I had not seen Sebastian all day so it was looking like the first time I would be introduced to everyone would be at the meeting. It hit me a few minutes before 2:00 that Shane probably knew about me and my relationship with Sebastian since he was so close to Sebastian, and I had a mini panic. I literally had to count to 20 before I started walking down the hall to the conference room. One of my hidden talents was that I could read people really well so I was sure I would be able to tell quickly if Shane knew about us. I knew that Spencer would not know about us, and neither would anyone else since we had to be discreet. The only one I was worried about was Shane. I didn't want him to think of me as his brother's love interest, I wanted him to think of me as a colleague. I smoothed my hair one last time as I walked toward the conference room, straightened my blazer, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
As soon as I stepped into the room my breath was taken away...literally. Sebastian and his brothers were easily the most gorgeous men I had ever seen in my life, and seeing all three of them together was completely overwhelming. They were standing near the window chatting with each other when I walked in and they turned to greet me when they heard the door open.
"Ah, Elena, I'm glad you're here. Shane, Spencer, I would like you to meet Elena Sumner, our VP of Marketing, Elena, meet my brothers Spencer and Shane."
I smiled at both of them and extended my hand to Spencer first since he was older. "It is very nice to meet you."
I saw something in the way he looked at me. I knew that look. I had seen in a thousand times when a man was admiring me, but I had no interest in getting that kind of look from him.
He shook my hand and did not let go as his eyes held mine.
"My brother did not tell me that we have such a beautiful Marketing VP for the hotel. I guess I need to visit Miami more often."
I felt a little uncomfortable under his intense gaze but I did not want to be rude or do anything to upset one of the owners of the hotel, so I just politely smiled at him. I glanced over at Sebastian and I was surprised to see what almost looked like rage engulfing his face as he watched my interaction with Spencer.
Sebastian's voice was a little bit too loud for the room that we were in as he tried to interrupt what was happening with Spencer.
"Spencer you're fine where you are in Los Angeles, and we're just fine here in Miami without you." He glowered as he looked at Spencer and Spencer gave it right back to him. They looked like two alpha wolves squaring off trying to prove who was the more alpha of the two. Thankfully, Shane stepped in.
"You'll have to forgive my brothers Elena, sibling rivalry seems to be rearing its ugly head. It is very nice to meet you." He smiled at me and it was such a sweet smile, I could tell that he had a kind spirit. He tried to make light of the situation with Sebastian and Spencer but I could tell that he was annoyed.
A few more people trickled into the room and we started the meeting shortly after that. The meeting lasted for nearly 3 hours and it was really exciting to be a part of something that was going to be so amazing. I hoped that one day I would be able to actually go to Dubai and see the new hotel because it sounded incredible. The most surprising thing that came out of the meeting was that they planned to make the Blu Sierra Dubai a seven star hotel to rival the Burj Al Arab. We were all going to be very busy getting it up and running and I was looking forward to the challenge. Near the end of the meeting I glanced at Sebastian, giving him a look letting him know that I had something to say, and he gave me the floor. I told everyone that I wanted to throw out a few ideas that I had thought of just to get their feedback, and when I was done everyone in the meeting seemed very impressed with my suggestions. I gathered my things and I was chatting with a couple of people from the marketing department after the meeting had adjourned as we made our way toward the door.
"Elena, could you stay behind please?" Sebastian's rich voice stopped me in my tracks and I was worried that I had crossed the line by offering unsolicited suggestions.
I stood against the wall, my nose buried in my notes, trying to look as if I was busy and not feeling a nervous wreck. After everyone cleared out, the only people left were me, Sebastian, Spencer and Shane. I just knew that I was in trouble and I felt sick to my stomach.
"Elena, we are going out to dinner and we would like for you to join us." The way Sebastian told me was not a question so I knew that I would have to go. The thought of being in a social setting with the three Blu men was terrifying but I would just have to suck it up.
We went to a seafood restaurant, and I couldn't believe it was just me with those three gorgeous men. We must have been an interesting sight to see because we turned heads from the second we walked out of the office building until the second we were seated at our table. There were a lot of whispers and many envious stares, aimed at me, from women in the restaurant but I just ignored them.