Chapter 150: New York
Tuesday, January 10th, Evening
The UBER dropped her off in front of the place she told them. Elizabeth "Ellie" Scott paid for her ride using the app on her phone and walked towards the wine bar where she was meeting people. She adjusted her coat against the early freezing January weather. She's not dressed in her typical boho-chic style, she was still dressed stylish but covered up. Looking at the place, she sighed and walked into the door.
Once she was inside, she scanned the room, looking for the people she's meeting. Someone raised a hand and shook it at her. Only one of the people she was meeting was here at this time. Well, there always has to be that one person who's always late. Ellie nodded and walked over to the table; the person was sitting.
Ellie took a seat and looked across the table at Jade Ambrose. The forever tanned, dark-haired, and a dark-eyed woman looked back across the table at Ellie. Jade's wearing a black sleeveless turtleneck sweater dress; her hair was worn down and back over her shoulders, exposing her ears. Jade was wearing a nice pair of gold earrings.
"Libby, glad you could join us," Jade said, "Well, when Fin joins us."
"Thanks," Ellie said and sat down.
Jade took a sip of her red wine, "So, how have you been?" she asked.
"I can't complain," Ellie said.
"Missed you, where have you been?" Jade asked.
"Been working," Ellie said.
"Missed you the other night," Jade said.
"Sorry," Ellie said.
"So, what do you want, the place has a great selection," Jade said and slid the wine list over to Ellie.
"Thanks," Ellie said and opened up the wine list.
"Libby, we've never got to know each other too well," Jade said.
"We've always gone out as a group, so things get missed," Ellie said.
"So, let's fix that tonight," Jade said.
"Sure," Ellie said.
The waiter came over, and Jade ordered a starter. Ellie ordered a glass of wine.
"So, Libby, I only know you only as Libby, what is your real name?" Jade asked.
Ellie laughed, "My name is Elizabeth," she said.
"Really?" Jade asked.
Ellie laughed some more, "Yes, my name is Elizabeth," she said.
"Libby makes sense than," Jade said, "But Elizabeth seems so plain."
"My parents named me after one of my grandmothers," Ellie said.
Jade nodded, and Ellie could see she was taking a backward step, "Surprisingly, it fits you," she said.
"Thanks," Ellie said, and let out a slight smile.
"Do you like being called Libby, Libby?" Jade asked.
"It's fine. I've been called worse," Ellie said, "I've rarely ever been called Elizabeth in my whole life."
"Only when someone was mad at you?" Jade asked.
"Yeah, pretty much," Ellie said.
"You mentioned brothers and sisters, how many do you have?" Jade asked.
"I'm the second youngest of five," Ellie said.
"Five? Wow!" Jade said.
"Well, I have a twin, so it's not as crazy as you would think," Ellie said.
"Wow, it had to be a crazy place to grow up," Jade said.
Ellie shook her head, "Not really, most of the time, it was just, my brother and sister, later my older sister moved in, and my baby sister was born," she said.
"It was always just me and Jared," Jade said, kind of mournfully.
"You must have been close," Ellie said.
"Finley, use to call me, and Jared the new Ross and Monica," Jade said.
"Ross and Monica?" Ellie asked.
"The brother and sister on Friends," Jade said.
"Friends?" Ellie asked.
"You never heard of Friends?" Jade asked.
"Not that I can remember," Ellie said.
"It's a great show, you should watch it," Jade said.
"I'll add it to my list," Ellie said.
"Did you watch TV growing up?" Jade asked.
"A little, but was busy with activities," Ellie said.
"Like what?" Jade asked.
"Kid stuff, and I kayak," Ellie said.
"Kayak?" Jade asked.
"Yeah, it was something me and my oldest sister did together," Ellie said.
"I've always wanted to learn but never had the chance," Jade said.
Ellie nodded, "Well, you have to set aside the time, since you only have so much time," she said.
"Have you always been so philosophical?" Jade asked.
"Not always," Ellie said.
Before Jade could respond, the waiter brought Ellie her glass of wine, and whatever food Jade ordered. They both thanked the waiter, and he left. Ellie took a sip of her wine, and Jade was right; the place had a good selection. Jade was about to say something, but Finley Graham joined them at the table.
Ellie looked at the fourth woman in her friend group. Finley was the shortest of their group, being only five-foot-one inch tall, and had a squarish shaped face with sharp features. She's in a halter v neck sleeveless, backless A-line, knee-length black cocktail dress, which seemed to have a red lining. Finley's dark brown hair is down and off her shoulders. Her blue eyes studied Ellie.
"About time, Fin," Jade said.
"Sorry, I was tied up," Finley said and took her seat.
"I don't need to know what you and Justin are into," Jade said.
"Sounds fun," Ellie said.
The waiter came over, and Finley orders herself a glass of wine. She looked away from Jade, and to Ellie. "Hey Libby, how have you been?" Finley asked.
"Busy," Ellie said.
"Ains been worried, she's been trying to get a hold of you," Finley said.
In more ways then one, Ellie thought. "As I said, I've been busy," she answered.
Finley nodded; Ellie could see that she was going to leave it there. "I like your dress, not your usual style, whose design is it?" she asked.
"It's a Roberta Leigh Burke original," Ellie said.
"Really? I didn't know you liked her stuff," Finley said, as the waiter brought her the glass of wine she ordered.
"I do like some of her stuff," Ellie said.
"I heard that she's getting her own show for fashion week and not sharing a show with her mentor Brooke Davis like past years," Jade said.
"I heard that too," Finley said.
"Good to know," Ellie said.
"Hey Fin, Jade," a masculine voice said and caused all three ladies to look in the direction it came. A man about five foot ten inches tall, stoutly built, with naturally tan skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. He came over to the table and greeted both Finley and Jade. He did this with a hug and a European kiss on each cheek.
"How have you been?" Finley asked.
"Good, good, can't complain," he said.
"But you'll do it anyway," Finley said.
He laughed, "You know me too well, Fin," he said and turned to see Ellie. He smiled at Ellie. The smile that Ellie could describe as a thousand-watt smile.
"Oh, sorry, I'm rude," Finley said, "Bieito, this is Libby Scott. Libby, this is our friend Bieito Hawk."
Bieito took Ellie's hand and kissed, "The pleasure is all mine," he said.
"Thank you," Ellie said.
"A beautiful voice for a beautiful lady," Bieito said, "Do I detect a bit of southern in your voice?"
"Yes, just a little," Ellie said, demurely.
"Well, it's a pleasure," Bieito said, turning on the charm.
"Bieito, join us for a glass or two," Finley said.
Bieito shook his head, "Sorry, I can't," he said, and looked at Ellie quickly, then and looked back to Finley, "I wish I could, but I have other plans. I saw you and Jade, so I had to say hello."
"That sucks," Jade said.
"It does, but on the plus side, I got meet Miss Libby, here," Bieito said, and gave Ellie a lingering look, and was oozing charm.
"That's true," Finley said.
"Well, I'll see you soon," Bieito said and left.
Ellie took a sip of her wine and looked at her friends. She just gave them a soft smile.