Adjusting her dress yet again, Ali tried to enjoy the party.

For the first time in a long time, Ali had been at a loss as to what to wear to an event. As usual, she wanted to dress to impress, but this was not her typical audience. She knew how to thrill the fickle red-carpet fashion police back home, how to affect men...well, one man in particular with her choice of attire. But today she was trying to make a good impression with her most important onlookers. Sam's family.

His parents, Christopher and Evelyn Harrington were holding a welcome home brunch at their spectacular home in honour of Sam. It doubled as an opportunity to introduce Ali to the large assortment of aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends that were eager to meet her.

The large sitting room, decorated with elegance in soft blues that reminded Ali of little blue Tiffany boxes, was packed with people enjoying themselves. Ali once again regretted her decision to wear the dress she had selected. The style was on point for the crowd, classic form-fitting above the knee with a simple square neckline. More modest than what she was used to but she didn't want to call too much attention to herself. But the colour was wrong. Blue was a favourite of Sam's, but it was too similar to the room. Ali should be standing out as a worthy partner for the long-lost son newly returned, not melting into the décor.

Jonathon would have styled an amazing dress for her that would have impressed and made her feel comfortable. But Jonathon was far too busy to pick out day dresses for a friend who was currently lacking in confidence. Ali was thrilled for him and his success. After the Charity Ball, where Ali had worn the most elegant dress designed specifically for her by Jonathon, demand for his styles and time had skyrocketed.

Looking across the room, Ali spotted Sam chatting with a group of men about his age. The Harrington family was certainly blessed with good genes, as the group could have been models in a GQ photo shoot. As if he could feel her gaze on him, Sam turned and smiled at Ali.

Not wanting to give Sam the idea that she wasn't enjoying herself, she brightly smiled back, adding a little wink for effect. For most of the party, Sam had stuck by her side, helping her fit in and introducing her to everyone. Ali had finally told him to go and mingle, claiming she could fend for herself for a few moments. A bit reluctantly he offered to go refresh their drink at the bar where one of his cousins was currently keeping the bartender company.

Ali hadn't wanted him to go but Sam's words the other night had been running through her mind. They had been talking about Sam's recently resurfaced ex-girlfriend Victoria. Sam's distaste for her lack of confidence and constant need for reassurance had been about the most negative thing Ali had ever heard her sweet Sam say about another human being. She had vowed right then and there to never be like that, to maintain a level of independence so Sam would never tire of her.

Unfortunately, that stance was wavering right now. Ali missed Sam's presence, the supportive touch of his hand on the small of her back.

"So, you're the new girlfriend." Ali turned towards the sharp voice. Before her stood a trio of women. Two Chanel-suited, pearl necklace donning blondes and the third a brunette, who looked more like their chaperone and was mostly unadorned in a plain black dress.

"That's me." Ali took a sip of her drink to stop herself from saying anything bitter towards the blonde in the middle who was leaning back and giving Ali the once over from head to foot. The woman did not look impressed with what she saw.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Mary and this is my friend Grace." Ali smiled at the two women and then looked towards the last of the trio. After a moment, Mary continued in a bored voice," Oh and this is my sister Emily."

"Hi, Ali," Emily's voice was soft and in stark contrast to her sister's sharp tone. She looked like she might say more but Mary was speaking again.

"What is it you do again?"

"I..."

"Didn't Evelyn say that you attended parties."

"No Mary," Emily corrected, soothingly, "She said Ali organized events for various charities."

"Oh, that's right." Mary swirled the drink in her glass as if working up to something. "And you're divorced correct?"

The women on either side of Mary each gave an involuntary gasp while Ali squared her shoulders and pulled together her most pleasant face. This woman was obviously trying to cause trouble and Ali was not going to let that happen.

"Yes, it's true." She replied brightly.

"What's it like, being divorced?" Mary needled again.

"Mary...," begged Emily.

"What?" Mary snipped at her sister. "I'm curious. The only divorcees I know are sad old women who are looking for boy toys to relive their 20's with. Ali here's so young."

Emily looked to Grace for help in defeating her sister's attempts, but Grace was finding the contents of her glass particularly interesting at that moment.

"It's fine really," Ali interjected, appreciating the attempt from the brunette but not afraid to face Mary head-on. "I'm an open book."

"See Emily. Ali doesn't mind." Mary stared directly at Ali. "Do you regret getting divorced?"

"Best decision of my life."

"But you promised to love him until death do you part. Don't you feel bad you broke that vow?"

"You know, it's funny how your point of view on the bonds of marriage changes when you catch your husband with his pants down banging his secretary. It really gave me clarity."

Ali was preparing for Mary's next volley which she was sure was going to be centered around what had caused her ex-husband to feel the need to cheat in the first place when Emily diplomatically changed the subject.

"And how are you liking New York?"

"Oh, that's right," Mary cackled before Ali had a chance to respond. "Sam found you on the west coast." The blonde emphasized the words found like Ali was a stray and west like it was something dirty and below her.

"Apparently nothing appealed to him around here," shot back Ali, instantly regretting the snarky remark. Mary's eyes bulged for an instant. This was not how today was supposed to go. The aim was to impress Sam's family and friends, not alienate them.

"Yes, well, Sam always had unique tastes, didn't he Grace." Mary's tone dripped with bitterness. Again, not letting her question be answered, Mary barreled on. "Oh, I see poor Sophie over there. She does hate these events. Grace, let's go cheer her up, shall we?"

And without waiting for a response, Mary took the other blonde by the arm and steered her away from Ali, leaving Emily in her dust.

"Don't mind my sister," Emily smiled weakly. "She likes to bring everyone one down to her level of misery"

Watching the two women walk away, Ali muttered. "Hell must look to her for guidance." Darn, Ali had done it again. What was wrong with her. Offering an apology for insulting her sister, Ali was surprised to see the brunette trying to suppress a laugh.

"I'll have to remember that one."

Ali smiled back at her and truly looked at Emily for the first time. Ali's first impression of the woman as a wallflower was dispelled upon closer inspection. Intelligent blue eyes dominated a delicate face, reminding Ali of a character straight out of a regency romance movie, all fresh and innocent. Her skin was like the ivory of piano keys. Hints of red shimmed where the sun caught her hair which was pulled back into a soft bun at the nape of her neck. She was the definition of pretty.

Ali apologized again. "Sorry, all these new people have me a little on edge."

"You and me both. Our father insists we attend these parties, probably hoping to marry us off to rich husbands like some 18th-century country dance." Emily raised one of her hands and touched a small silver charm hanging on a chain around her neck. "No luck so far though."

"You're not related to Sam?"

"No. The Harringtons and my family have been friends ever since I brought Thomas home to meet him."

"Were you and Thomas..." Was this an opportunity to finally find out about Sam's older brother? Aside from some vague circumstances around his death, neither Sam nor his family ever spoke about the man. Whenever Ali tried to bring it up, the sadness in Sam's eyes tore Ali apart and she quickly learned to avoid the subject. Her attempts with Evelyn were no better.

"Oh no!" Emily touched the charm around her neck again. "Thomas and I were just friends. Good friends. Besides, the moment I introduced him to Sophie, she was my roommate back then, he didn't have eyes for anyone but her. I thought love at first sight was a myth until I saw those two together. She still loves him."

Ali considered the girl Mary and Grace were now talking to. Even from a distance, Ali could sense the woman's sadness. Was it possible that she was mourning Thomas still after all these years? A chill ran through Ali. If something were to happen to Sam, Ali knew she would never recover.

Emily sighed and then added brightly, "Has Sam come home to finally run for office?"

"No, Sam isn't interested in his father's world."

"Are you sure? Because it looks to me like he fits right in." Ali followed the woman's gaze to where Sam was standing amongst a group of men, smiling and laughing. As one of the men slapped Sam on the back, Sam was animated and engaged. He leaned in closer, ultimately being enclosed in the circle of men.

Ali could not deny that Sam definitely looked like he belonged with them. It would be so easy for Sam to exist, no, thrive in that world. His easy-going attitude and even-keeled temperament would make for a great politician.

"I understand that was Thomas's dream, not Sam's."

"Yes, Thomas was born for it." Emily became more animated. "He loved politics."

Studying Emily, Ali could sense her eagerness to talk about her friend. Not wanting to waste her chance to learn more about Sam's mysterious brother, Ali dove in.

"Tell me about Thomas."

Oh Mary. She is such a ... well. Did you know she did an interview for my "Interviews With Your Favourite Characters" project. Yup. You can find out a little more about her and even ask her your own question. Check out the link in the comment here ----->