Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 22 part 2: 9 days

Linda was the first to go in, not by choice since Barbara was pushing her the whole way. Paul was standing only meters away when he turned and saw her.

"Ello." He said rather flustered. "I didn't see you there." The other boys watched as he went to take her hand.

"Have you washed that?" She questioned, putting Paul in a position he had never thought possible. Speechless.

His lips curved into a small grin. "Why of course." He winked, taking hold of Linda's hand and leaving a soft lingering kiss on the back. "A pleasure miss..?"

"Brown." Paul nodded slowly and stood up straight.

"I'm Paul." The boys all grinned at each other like schoolboys.

"Charming," Linda said rather unenthusiastically and walked off to a chair in the corner of the room.

"You're keen." He scoffed and jumped over and onto the sofa, stretching his legs out over the end.

Next to come in was Barbara who strutted in like she owned the whole hotel. She gave the boys a wink as she met their gaze. When she met George's however, she suddenly felt a nerve pass through her and she stopped in one place.

"Long time no see." John grinned, his tone suggestive as always. The last time he saw Barbara was a time he longed to relive.

Barbara couldn't help but glance at George in the corner of her eye. Flirting with John was one thing but in front of his friend who she had blatantly lied to was something she couldn't attempt.

Ringo's eyes lit up when he saw Susan creep in. She was just as beautiful as the first time he saw her, even more now. He fought to keep his cheeks neutral but they flushed red the moment her eyes hit him.

Susan smiled shyly, her head half-hung to avoid eye contact with the other lads who were amongst conversation as she scuttled over to Ringo, sitting down beside him.

"I've missed you." Ringo blushed, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. It may have lasted about 2 seconds but it was worth a whole year. All Ringo wanted to do now was smother her in warm affection.

"I've missed you too," Susan replied shyly, looking down at their almost touching hands. She was so desperate to take it and wrap it around in hers but she felt so wrong being there. Anderson's words wouldn't leave her mind no matter how hard she tried to block them out.

"What's wrong?" Ringo asked with concern.

"Nothing." Susan shook. "It must just be jet lag." She looked up and met him in a warm smile. "Honestly, I'll be fine in no time." She said finally having the courage to take his hand and wrap it in hers.

"You want a drink? The wine here is like nothing you've ever tasted." He effused, taking a small sip.

"Maybe in a bit. Anyway, how are you? The whole flight process must have been stressful." Susan assumed.

"A little. Nothing I couldn't handle." He grinned.

"He cried the whole way." George pitched in, a big grin on his face.

"Did not." Ringo gave Susan a don't listen to that twat look. Susan giggled and rubbed his hand a little, feeling much better than a few minutes ago.

On the other side of the room, Linda was quietly continuing her mystery novel which caught the attention of curious Paul who couldn't shake their encounter from his mind.

"What are you reading?" He asked, leaning over the sofa to talk to this mysteriously brunette. To his surprise, Linda didn't even give him a glance or, anything. This was certainly a shocking thing. "Oi." He said a little louder.

Linda lifted her eyes from her page. "You talking to me?"

Paul laughed. "Who else would I be talking to?" Linda looked around the room.

"At least 6 other people." She replied.

Paul laughed again. "You're quite funny."

"I try." She monotoned, going back to her book.

Paul watched her for a few moments, talking to himself in his head. So, this woman, not only giving a single fuck about anything else going on around her, is even ignoring a dashing Beatle such as myself. Strange indeed.

"What book are you reading?" He gave her a grin as she met his eyes once again.

"Agatha Christie."

"Sounds cool." He said, knowing nothing about an Agatha Christie whatsoever.

"Hmm..." Linda mumbled, clearly in no mood to chit chat. Paul couldn't help but question if his charms had fizzled out or if it was just her being antisocial. Either way, he was determined to win her over just to calm his mind.

In the middle of the room, John and Barbara were doing some catching up since their last encounter.

"How'd you find America?" He inquired. "Is it everything you imagined and more?"

"You tell me." She said, taking a sip of the wine he had given her a minute ago.

"You like playing games then?" John smirked.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Barbara glanced at George in the corner of his eye who was in conversation with Susan and Ringo.

"You know, I'm actually a professional myself." John continued, pulling Barbara back in.

"Oh really?" He nodded proudly. "So, not a master class like me?" She grinned.

"You're quite confident for your age aren't ya?" He took a swig of his drink.

"You have to be in a world like this." She answered with ease as if she had been that question hundreds of times.

"And what have you seen?"

"What have you seen?" She shot back.

"Ask me after a few of these." He gestured to his drink. "And I might tell ya." There was a small sparkle in his eyes, telling Barbara everything she needed to know.

"We've got plenty more time for that." She smiled and clinked her glass lightly against John's. "Cheers." She drank the rest in a quick swig.

"9 days..." John grinned, finishing his drink right after.