Chapter 457: Katz Deli
Tuesday, February 14th, Afternoon
After her breakfast with Dawson, and spending some time catching up with him, almost to the point if she didn't leave, she would be late. Ellie walked up to West Houston Street. At the corner, Ellie paused and adjusted her hat and sunglasses. After taking a deep breath, she let it out and watched the steam circle in front of her face. Nodding, Ellie turned east and started walking down Houston.
West Houston Street became East Houston Street at Broadway; Ellie stopped and looked up and down the street. The oldest north-south road in the city, Ellie smiled about the Wickquasgeck trail. Ellie let out another breath and watched the steam again.
Ellie remembered watching a canceled TV series called New Amsterdam. An interesting double meaning for a title, the main character used the last name Amsterdam, and it was also the Dutch name for New York City. The good thing about those eight episodes was pre-Game of Thrones Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
With a shrug, the walk sign changed, and Ellie walked across Broadway. These were major streets, so Ellie took her time; eventually, she reached Mulberry Street, with the next being Mott Street, she was a bit north, but these were the streets that bordered Little Italy. Eventually, Ellie reached The Bowery; she paused, thinking about the stories her mom told her about the birth of punk.
Ellie reflected as she finished her walk to Katz Deli, just six more blocks to go. Ellie saw a tall brunette, who wore fashionable clothing, but stuck out like a sore thumb. Ellie studied her and noticed she wore those big Hepburn Style sunglasses. Ellie smirked and walked over to her.
"Hello, Cami," Ellie said with a smile and steam.
"Libby, how are you?" Campbell Crouch said, and they hugged. Campbell stood without heels, almost as tall as Ellie. Today she is wearing heeled boots, so she is nearly a head taller.
After they separated, they looked at each other. "I've been busy," Ellie said.
"Trying to look urban?" Campbell asked, "Still doing the modeling thing?"
Ellie sighed, "Saw me on Instagram, I see," she said, dammit it, Fin.
"Where else would I find you? You never text, call, DM," Campbell said.
"Been busy," Ellie said.
"We'll keep this going on after we get our food; we're going in next," Campbell said.
The two women walked into the restaurant. They waited until they could place their lunch order. After paying for their stuff, they took a seat, looking across the table at each other. Campbell smiled.
"It's been how long?" Ellie asked.
"Three years, we all came down to that small town of yours," Campbell said.
Ellie nodded, "Yeah, not a great week, I barely remember that week," she said.
"So, how do you end up on an influencer's Instagram?" Campbell asked.
Ellie sighed, "Finley's a friend, and she wanted some rub, I guess," she said.
"So, anyway, how is the second book coming?" Campbell asked.
Ellis shrugged, "Still shopping it around," she said.
Campbell laughed, "I love leaving your book open to the Key West Chapter," she said.
Ellie rolled her eyes, "Why?" she asked.
"Well, I want to see if the guy reads it and how they react," Campbell said.
Ellie chuckled, "Are you trying to scare them?" she asked.
"Maybe test them," Campbell said.
"Cami, you know it's just a book," Ellie said.
"Eileen and Cambria had fun that weekend," Campbell said.
"So, did many people; if I remember Anna's work, it was a spur-of-the-moment vacation, and they hit the main hotspots, straight and gay," Ellie said.
"That they did," Campbell said.
"We always had fun," Ellie said.
Campbell nodded and looked around. Finally, she sighed. "Duncan proposed," she said.
"Duncan? Duncan Kay?" Ellie asked.
"Yes, he did," Campbell said.
"When did he get the nerve to ask you out?" Ellie asked.
"Right after, well, when we were in Tree Hill, Libby," Campbell said.
Ellie laughed, "Did he read the chapter?" she asked.
"Yes," Campbell said.
"And?" Ellie asked.
"He was cool with it," Campbell said.
Ellie shook her head, "Oh yeah, I forgot to ask, did you say yes?" she asked.
"Of course I did," Campbell said.
"Oh my god, congratulations, Cami," Ellie said.
"Thank you, I know it's crazy," Campbell said.
"You're welcome," Ellie said, "Campbell Crouch is getting married."
Campbell nodded tight mouthed and held back tears. "Yeah, strange, I know," she said.
"Let's see it," Ellie said.
Campbell extended her left hand, and Ellie looked over the ring. Ellie took in the gold band with red, white, and green stones.
"What do you think?" Campbell asked.
"Very nice," Ellie said.
"That brings us to one more piece of business," Campbell said.
"That would be?" Ellie asked.
"Would you be my co-maid of honor?" Campbell asked.
Ellie cocked an eyebrow, "Co?" she asked.
"Of course you and my sister," Campbell said.
"Yeah? But why?" Ellie asked, "But why me?"
"You two are my best friends, and well, Cameron is good at certain things, and Libby, you're better at others," Campbell said.
Ellie laughed, "Bangkok or Las Vegas?" she asked.
"Yes," Campbell said and laughed.
"Okay," Ellie said.
"We need a selfie, so everyone knows," Campbell said.
Ellis sighed, "Alright," she said and got behind Campbell. Campbell snapped several selfies, found the perfect one, and posted it on Instagram, tagging it with #Sheagreed, #Katzdeli, #Libbyscott, #Camicampbell, #MOH.
As Ellie shook her head, her phone chimed. Ellie looked it over and responded.
"Who was that, Libby?" Campbell asked.
"His name is Bietio Hawk," Ellie said and put her phone away.
"What does he do?" Campbell asked.
"Fund management, I think," Ellie said.
"You plucked him," Campbell said.
"None of your business, and anyways how do you know?" Ellie asked.
"One, I've known you how long, Libertine? Two, I saw that look on your face. Three, I smelled it on you," Campbell said.
"Ugh!" Ellie said.
"I'll take that as a yes," Campbell said.
Ellie stared at Campbell and shook her head.
"Let me guess the Vivian Ward boots?" Campbell asked.
"I plead the fifth," Ellie said.
"The classics always work," Campbell said.
"Can we just finish lunch," Ellie said.
"Sure," Campbell said and laughed.
