Chapter 3
Elizabeth didn't realize how hungry she had really been. It wasn't until she was on the second to last bite of her Aloo Gobi that she realized her eating pace had been about five times faster than that of her lunch mates. Cursing herself for once again being put in the "first-one-done, now-make- everyone- else- uncomfortable- by -staring" position, she busied herself with pushing the last bite around her plate with her fork and trying to watch Jade Mercury from the corner of her eye as Chris was going on in his usual manner, not noticing if a word was interjected edge-wise.
Jade seemed to be listening intently to what Chris was saying, and Liz used this opportunity to better memorize the features of the striking woman. Her hair was pulled back today, and unlike the night at the Awards Recognition, her facial features were now free from the dark silk locks which had silhouetted them. Liz marveled at the bone structure of the woman's face. Her high cheekbones and strong jawline painted in a golden bronze, which covered her entire body and bathed her in an almost radiant glow, and the blue of her eyes was startling against the blackness of her long lashes and highly arched brows. The pink of her full lips seemed almost unnaturally profound, but Liz could see that the woman was probably not one of cosmetic preference.
Jade continued to nod at the talkative man. * I will never carpool to lunch again* she thought, as she glanced outside, hoping for a moment that her car had magically appeared there. She scanned her brain for some kind of closure sentence, or excuse to leave the noisy restaurant and glide back into the quiet confines of her technological den.
However, this Liz woman was becoming rather intriguing, if her partner would only let her take the stage now. Jade thought of the way the woman had eyed her in the lobby, and smirked when she remembered the flushed red handed expression on her face as she hastily denied it with her eyes. She glanced at Liz now, and noticed her gaze shift abruptly. The woman was definitely interested, Jade knew the response well, she was used to drawing attention, her dark good looks attracting many the wondering eye of both male and female alike. However she was picky about her bedmates, as numerous as they were- it took trust to allow someone to climb inside the safe confines of her living space, and her privacy was not something that Jade easily gave up. This Liz might make for an interesting evening sometime, but she couldn't afford another piece of baggage dragging at her heels, especially in her new work environment, as brief as it may be.
"Well, I am going to go collect the check, you ladies hang tight." Chris motioned for the waiter and excused himself from the table.
Liz removed her napkin from her lap and set it on the table. Rolling the corners against her palms, she reluctantly looked at Jade, trying to think of some topic for conversation. "So how long have you lived in San Francisco?" real original champ.
"Only a couple weeks."
"Oh? And how are you liking it here so far?"
" I like it, the people are friendly enough and the culture is definitely expansive. The weather is a bit coastal for my taste, but the landscape itself is beautiful."
"Do you have any friends or relatives out this way?" Liz privately patted herself on the back for being able to speak and look at this woman at the same time.
"No." Jade shifted and scanned the restaurant for Chris' return.
Its now or never, just suck it up and ask already- "Listen, I don't know if you like art, or wine but there is an art showing every first Thursday in the district. If you ever get bored, or want to tag along-"
"I'd love to go." Jade found herself smiling as broadly as the young Executive across from her.
"Great, well did you want to meet me somewhere? Maybe we could go grab a bite to eat, I know a great Chinese restaurant in NW."
"Sure, I will meet you there."
Liz tried to steady her hand as she hastily jotted down the address of the restaurant and her cell phone number. She had butterflies in her stomach as they pulled back into the Viable parking lot and she walked back to her office. Flopping in her chair, she squealed and covered her face in her hands. Tonight? She must be out of her mind.
Elizabeth didn't realize how hungry she had really been. It wasn't until she was on the second to last bite of her Aloo Gobi that she realized her eating pace had been about five times faster than that of her lunch mates. Cursing herself for once again being put in the "first-one-done, now-make- everyone- else- uncomfortable- by -staring" position, she busied herself with pushing the last bite around her plate with her fork and trying to watch Jade Mercury from the corner of her eye as Chris was going on in his usual manner, not noticing if a word was interjected edge-wise.
Jade seemed to be listening intently to what Chris was saying, and Liz used this opportunity to better memorize the features of the striking woman. Her hair was pulled back today, and unlike the night at the Awards Recognition, her facial features were now free from the dark silk locks which had silhouetted them. Liz marveled at the bone structure of the woman's face. Her high cheekbones and strong jawline painted in a golden bronze, which covered her entire body and bathed her in an almost radiant glow, and the blue of her eyes was startling against the blackness of her long lashes and highly arched brows. The pink of her full lips seemed almost unnaturally profound, but Liz could see that the woman was probably not one of cosmetic preference.
Jade continued to nod at the talkative man. * I will never carpool to lunch again* she thought, as she glanced outside, hoping for a moment that her car had magically appeared there. She scanned her brain for some kind of closure sentence, or excuse to leave the noisy restaurant and glide back into the quiet confines of her technological den.
However, this Liz woman was becoming rather intriguing, if her partner would only let her take the stage now. Jade thought of the way the woman had eyed her in the lobby, and smirked when she remembered the flushed red handed expression on her face as she hastily denied it with her eyes. She glanced at Liz now, and noticed her gaze shift abruptly. The woman was definitely interested, Jade knew the response well, she was used to drawing attention, her dark good looks attracting many the wondering eye of both male and female alike. However she was picky about her bedmates, as numerous as they were- it took trust to allow someone to climb inside the safe confines of her living space, and her privacy was not something that Jade easily gave up. This Liz might make for an interesting evening sometime, but she couldn't afford another piece of baggage dragging at her heels, especially in her new work environment, as brief as it may be.
"Well, I am going to go collect the check, you ladies hang tight." Chris motioned for the waiter and excused himself from the table.
Liz removed her napkin from her lap and set it on the table. Rolling the corners against her palms, she reluctantly looked at Jade, trying to think of some topic for conversation. "So how long have you lived in San Francisco?" real original champ.
"Only a couple weeks."
"Oh? And how are you liking it here so far?"
" I like it, the people are friendly enough and the culture is definitely expansive. The weather is a bit coastal for my taste, but the landscape itself is beautiful."
"Do you have any friends or relatives out this way?" Liz privately patted herself on the back for being able to speak and look at this woman at the same time.
"No." Jade shifted and scanned the restaurant for Chris' return.
Its now or never, just suck it up and ask already- "Listen, I don't know if you like art, or wine but there is an art showing every first Thursday in the district. If you ever get bored, or want to tag along-"
"I'd love to go." Jade found herself smiling as broadly as the young Executive across from her.
"Great, well did you want to meet me somewhere? Maybe we could go grab a bite to eat, I know a great Chinese restaurant in NW."
"Sure, I will meet you there."
Liz tried to steady her hand as she hastily jotted down the address of the restaurant and her cell phone number. She had butterflies in her stomach as they pulled back into the Viable parking lot and she walked back to her office. Flopping in her chair, she squealed and covered her face in her hands. Tonight? She must be out of her mind.
