Surrounded (Unsettled Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

turned around. Elizabeth was standing in front of me wearing a black dress and red flats.
    “How did you know?” It wasn’t hard placing her Texas accent.
    “Lucky guess” I said, turning back around to hand the receipt to the clerk. I could see her eyeing Elizabeth. I wasn’t sure if she was trying to place her face or shooting daggers because she had her hand on my arm.
    “Thank you. Have a good evening, Sir” she said, filing away the paperwork and handing me my key.
    I grabbed my briefcase from the counter and turned to face Elizabeth again. To my surprise she leaned and wrapped her arms around my neck, forcing me to lean in.
    “It’s good to see you” she said, tightening her grip. I wrapped my free hand around her back and chuckled trying to diffuse the awkwardness I felt about this situation. I didn’t want to be a dick to her, but I didn’t want to be mauled in public. I knew how the wrong media could get out, and I didn’t want Brooklyn seeing that shit. I pulled back slightly, causing her to loosen her embrace.
    “What are you doing here?” I asked, with a guarded smile. “I barely got here a few minutes ago.”
    “Oh, well, you know one of my cast mates is staying in this hotel, but when I thought I spotted you, I just wanted to say hey. Want to grab a drink?” I knew her being here wasn’t coincidence, even if she tried to lie and say it was. As if she knew I was second guessing her answer, she cocked her head and smiled broadly, as if that would make me change my mind.
    “I just landed and I have some business I need to take care of. Can I take a rain check? I’ve really got a lot of things to do” I asked. I really just wanted to head to my suite and call the girl that was waiting in DC for me, but she didn’t need to know that. All she needed to understand was that even though we’d been together once it wouldn’t happen again. Brooklyn was the only one allowed in my head space.
    “Oh, c’mon, L. We rarely see one another. We could even discuss your foundation. I still want to do something to help out L.L.A.P. So come on. Just one drink.” She grabbed my hand. “Look, the bar is just right there.” Any other time I would have told her I was too busy. But if she was serious about doing something for my foundation, it would behoove me to hear what she had to say.
    “Okay, just one drink.” I just hoped she didn’t get the wrong idea since I was now following her towards the dimly lit bar lined with indoor plants. The red fluorescent light danced on the wood planked walls. As soon as we walked in we found a booth near a window in the back.
    Elizabeth dropped her purse onto the bench seat. “You know what, I’ll be right back. I just need to go to the ladies room quickly.”
    “Okay. Do you want me to order for you?”
    “No it’s fine. I’ll be right back.”
    “Alright, I’ll be here.” I pulled off my layers and rested my coat next to me, then took my phone out of my pocket and texted Brooklyn.
    Hey, got tied up with an old acquaintance, but I’ll give you a call in a while. Want to hear your voice.
    Just as I finished hitting send, Elizabeth slid into the booth, smiling. My eyes wandered past her to the guy staring in our direction. He gave me a curt nod and turned back around on his stool, focusing on the TV above the bar.
    Elizabeth’s voice filtered into my ears. “Can you turn off the CEO persona for a while?” she asked, staring at the phone in my hand.
    “For a little while, I suppose .” I lifted my eyes to meet hers.
    “Good. Now let’s catch up.”
    She turned and raised her hand. The waitress raised her finger and smiled in acknowledgement.
    “I thin k I’m going to have a Daiquiri,” she said, smiling at me, while she turned the shiny gold bangle on her tiny wrist. Just then the waitress came over to our table, “Good evening. What can I get you both?” she asked.
    “Hi, I’ll have a strawberry Daiquiri, please.”
    “I’ll take Vodka with a