Someone Unexpected(30)

     



 



We made small talk for a while and then after we ordered we dug deeper.  Spencer seemed obsessed with knowing more about me, and I was pretty  sure that he suspected something had been going on with Sebastian and me  because he was flirting with me outrageously while periodically  glancing at Sebastian to watch his reaction.



"So Elena, a beautiful woman like you must either be married or have a  boyfriend." Spencer definitely had the sexy, bad boy thing going on, he  was super cocky and full of himself and I could see how it would be very  easy to fall for it. But my heart already belonged to someone else,  someone who was trying very hard not to let the longing show in his eyes  when he looked at me.



"No, I am not married," I looked over at Sebastian and held his gaze, "and I do not have a boyfriend."



To say that Sebastian looked crushed when I said those words would be a  complete understatement. But with his complicated life and failure to  tell me the truth about Sophia and his son, I couldn't help but remind  him that I was a free woman.



A huge smile spread across Spencer's face and he shifted in his chair,  leaning closer to me, as if he thought he had a chance with me. Not in a  million years buddy.



"I will be here until Saturday and I would love to take you out. Let me show you Miami the way it is meant to be seen."



It took everything in me not to laugh in his face and, thankfully,  Sebastian stepped in, anger flashing across his eyes. "Enough Spencer,  I'm sure Elena has better things to do than waste her time with you."



Spencer shot him a cool look and raised his eyebrow. "Oh, have I stepped on toes big brother?"



Sebastian's jaw was set and I could see that he was clenching his teeth.  Sebastian's face was mottled in rage as he shot Spencer a death glare  and Shane, once again, stepped in.



"Guys, I'm sure that Elena doesn't need to feel caught in the middle so  let's just have a good evening, okay? It's been how long since we've all  been together?"



Sebastian instantly calmed down when he heard Shane's voice and gave him a distracted smile.



"It's been too long Shane and you're right, we should be enjoying each  other's company instead of bickering. How are things with Kylie?"  Sebastian looked at me. "Kylie is Shane's girlfriend from Chicago."



"Not anymore, she broke up with me a few weeks ago." He had a big smile on his face.



"I was going to tell you how sorry I was to hear that Shane, but you look pretty happy about it." I gave him a small smile.



"It was probably one of the happiest days of my life so far. That girl was nothing but drama and it was exhausting."



I nodded my head at him. "I get it."



"Don't worry, Shane won't be single for long, the women are constantly  chasing him." Thankfully, Spencer had lightened up as he joked with  Shane.



Shane shook his head. "No time for women right now, my first priority is the hotel."



"I know Sebastian runs Blu Sierra Miami, and Spencer you run Blu Sierra  Los Angeles, but Shane are you running Blu Sierra Chicago or are you  still training?"



"The hotel is all mine now, my brothers have taught me everything that I need to know."



"Yes, Shane is definitely ready to take over the Chicago hotel and run  with it. We know that he will do an incredible job there." Sebastian's  voice was full of pride.



"Yes, our little Shane is going to be a superstar in this industry."  Spencer and Shane seemed to have a good relationship and the only  tension was between Spencer and Sebastian.



"That's more than we can say for you Spencer, now isn't it?" Sebastian's  words were laced with irritation and his question seemed to have  completely caught Spencer off guard.



They really didn't seem to care that they were airing all of their dirty  laundry in front of me. I sat there feeling uncomfortable with the  level of tension that was palpable in the air.



Spencer shot him a steely glare. "Blu Sierra Los Angeles is doing just  fine. Let's change the subject, shall we?" He glanced at me and then  held Sebastian's gaze as a smirk turned up the corner of his mouth. "How  are Sophia and Jaden doing?"         

     



 



I could see that Sebastian was about to explode and Shane quickly jumped  in. "Okay, that's enough! We are being extremely rude to our guest and  we are going to change the subject. Elena you'll have to forgive both of  my brothers for their rude behavior this evening. I hope you won't let  their behavior sway your opinion of me. I have really enjoyed getting to  know you and I look forward to working with you as we build our newest  hotel."



"I have enjoyed getting to know all of you this evening and I understand that families have their stuff, so no worries."



Out of the corner my eye I could see Sebastian giving me a grateful look  and I glanced at Shane who was smiling at me. "You are one smart lady."



"Smart and beautiful." Spencer's comment didn't cross the line so I appreciated that.



"Thank you, Spencer."



Sebastian looked almost bashful and I could see that he wanted to say something but he decided to keep his thoughts to himself.



Our food finally arrived and when we were done eating I decided to drill  Spencer a little bit since he had given Sebastian a little dig.



"So Spencer, I take it you're a bachelor, yes?"



He perked up a bit when he realized that the spotlight was on him. "Yes,  I am Elena, but I would change that for you in a heartbeat."



He winked at me and I was surprised to feel a tiny flutter of  butterflies in my belly. As much as I hated to admit it, Spencer had  that hot, sexy guy thing going on and I could see how it would be easy  to fall for him. I could feel Sebastian watching us and I almost didn't  flirt back with Spencer, but then I decided that it would be good for  Sebastian to see that other men were interested in me. I know it was  kind of mean given his history with Spencer but I thought that he needed  to be knocked down a couple of notches. Everything was not always going  to be on Sebastian's schedule and done the way Sebastian wanted it  done.



"In a heartbeat, huh?" I glanced at Sebastian and then look at Spencer  as I tossed my long dark locks over my shoulder. "So earlier you said  you would show me Miami the way it was meant to be seen. Maybe before  you leave this weekend you can tell me the places I should check out."



"I can do better than that. Clear your calendar on Friday and I will show you the best time you've ever had."



I knew that Sebastian was probably fuming and Shane was too preoccupied  with his phone to notice what was going on with Spencer and me. Before I  could turn him down Sebastian did it for me.



His voice was firm and his irritated expression unyielding. "Elena  cannot clear her calendar on Friday Spencer, she has responsibilities at  work which is something that you should have also. Just because you're  not in Los Angeles does not mean that there is no work for you to do. We  are going to be swamped with planning the new Dubai hotel and that  planning begins tomorrow."



Something really interesting happened, Spencer did not talk back to  Sebastian on this one and I could see that Sebastian had the final word  about business. It made sense since he was the oldest and had the most  experience with the business. Things were feeling really tense so I  changed the subject.



"I am really looking forward to working on the Dubai hotel. Will those  of us working closely on marketing for the hotel get a chance to see it  in person?" I was dying to go to Dubai and I knew I had a look of quiet  desperation on my face.



My question distracted Sebastian and he gave me a half-hearted smile.  "We are going to have a grand opening and all senior management will be  invited. We do that with all of our hotels."



"Oh wow, something to look forward to."



The waiter asked if we wanted dessert but we all passed. We had been  there for a while and it was getting late. The next day was going to be  really busy at work so I was ready to call it a night.



"I should get going pretty soon, I still have some work to do tonight when I get home."



"Elena's right, we are going to be swamped tomorrow." Sebastian glanced at all of us.



"Elena, it was a pleasure to meet you. If you ever have any questions or  want to bounce ideas of off someone, feel free to contact me." Shane  gave me a friendly smile and I returned it. I got a really good feeling  from him, he was a genuinely kind person and I liked him. I could  totally see what Sebastian meant when he said that Shane was an awesome  person.         

     



 



"Thanks Shane. I'm sure I will take you up on that."



Spencer grabbed my hand, raising it to his lips. "It was very nice to  meet you, Elena. I am sure we will be seeing a lot of each other." He  held my gaze and I could feel my cheeks getting hot.