"Your girlfriend?"

Sam swirled the glass he was holding, causing the ice cubes to crash together violently. He watched the amber liquid twirl instead of looking at Vicky. In opposition to her loud tones, he calmly replied, "Yes, my girlfriend."

"But Ali  can't...I mean why her?" One of the patrons at the table across from them cleared their throat, perhaps in an attempt to shame Vicky into toning things down a bit. Too bad they didn't know their efforts would be futile.

Vicky was beyond shaming.

Their meeting had dragged on longer than expected and it seemed only logical to turn it into lunch in an attempt to at least give them the sustenance to keep going. The noon rush was ending and the remaining customers were conversing over coffees and dessert.

"She's done this type of thing before. A lot." Sam retorted.

"Sure." Vicky was tapping her fingers on the table. " But not in New York. Things are a bit different here. She doesn't know anyone, doesn't have any contacts."

Sam looked across the table at Cruz seeking back up. "But she's resourceful." And I trust her, Sam didn't say out loud.

Now the Foundation had settled on a charity auction, they found they needed someone to manage the upcoming event. The trio had been debating hiring internally for the job or outsourcing it to an agency. It was then that Sam thought of Ali. In her previous life, she practically did this in her sleep.

Cruz finally piped up. "I think it's a good idea." Sam released his grip on the glass. Vicky was outnumbered. She rolled her eyes before agreeing.

"Great. It's settled then," Cruz smiled at his companions.

"Good. We can ask her when she gets here."

Ten minutes later a familiar face walked through the doors of the restaurant. Sam left the table to greet his girlfriend, kissing her on the cheek after taking her coat. He was so obsessed with Ali he didn't notice the man standing behind her until Ali moved to introduce him.

"Sam, this is Noah." Sam shook the other man's hand firmly.

"Ah, Sam." Noah's voice was deep and honeyed, his words slow and smooth. "We missed you the other day."

The comment set Sam's teeth on edge, but he plastered a smile on his face.

Was it possible this man was even more handsome in person? The clip he had watched over and over of Noah protecting Ali from the paparazzi barely did the man justice. A chiseled chin sprouted just enough beard growth to be rugged but still sophisticated, a look Sam never seemed to be able to master. His cable-knit sweater could barely contain his bulging biceps and paired with jeans and Doc Martens it all made Noah look like he'd just been hiking in the Swiss Alps. Sam suddenly felt very stuffy in his pale grey suit.

"I hope you don't mind," Ali continued, "I thought Noah could join us."

"No...I mean... of course." Sam stumbled. He resisted the urge to pull Ali towards him. "The others are waiting."

Ali scanned the restaurant. As her eyes found Cruz she gave a little wave. When she spotted Vicky, the hand paused for a moment. Sam grabbed this hand and started leading her to their table. He turned towards Noah. "It's a working lunch, we have some business to discuss."

The movie star wannabe grinned, exposing glaringly white teeth. "Don't stop on my account. I'm just here for the free meal and the beautiful scenery."

"Noah!" Ali exclaimed.

"You know I am just kidding, pet."

Sam emphasized "My love," as he pulled out his chair for Ali. "Everyone, this is Ali's friend, Noah." The newcomer shook hands with the table's other occupants. Sam noticed the expressions of excitement on both Cruz and Vicky's faces as they took in Noah's stunning presence.

As Sam spoke to the waiter about getting another chair and place setting, Vicky launched into an interrogation of Noah, asking him about his job, his background and lastly if he was a true New Yorker.

"I feel like I am at heart, always meant to be here. But truth be told, I was born in North Carolina."

Vicky leaned forward as Noah sat down across from her, her arms crossed on the table. "I won't tell if you don't. I have friends in Raleigh."

Noah shifted in his seat beside Ali. "I grew up in a small town on the coast. Trust me you have never heard of it."

"My friends might have," pressed Vicky.

"So what's good here?" interrupted Ali.

"Yeah, I've never been here before but I've heard good things." Noah looked happy to change the subject.

"They have a mushroom risotto that's to die for," offered Cruz, helpfully.

Sam replied, "Ali hates mushrooms." At the same time as Noah offered, "Ali doesn't eat fungi."

Sam's stomach turned at Noah's intimate knowledge of Ali's preference as he watched his girlfriend nonchalantly peruse the menu before catching Noah's eye.

Cruz broke the tension with another suggestion. "Okay, how about the ravioli, it's handmade."

"Sounds lovely," Ali declared.

"Well, thank goodness that crisis is solved," Vicky piped up acidly. "How about you Noah, any predilections we should be aware of?"

Noah flashed those perfect teeth again before answering. "Nope. I'll eat almost anything."

"Especially when it's free," muttered Sam to himself.

"What's that, my love?" Ali was regarding him with real genuine interest. Suddenly he felt bad for his negative attitude towards Noah. After all, Ali barely knew anyone here in town. Could he blame her for hanging out with him?

No. But he still didn't like it.

Sam brought Ali's hand to his lips and gently kissed it. "I was just deciding."

"You can have some of my ravioli if you want?"

Sam smiled at Ali. He was being foolish to worry about Noah. Just like her lunch, this woman was openly sharing her life with him. 

Him. Not Noah.

"I'll get the pizza and we can split?"

Ali beamed at him. "Perfect."

After the waiter took their order, Sam decided to pitch his idea to Ali. Getting the attention of the table, he broached the subject.

"Ali, I...well we...have a favour to ask of you."

"No such thing as a free lunch in this town." Everyone but Sam chuckled at Noah's joke.

"Well, it's up to you Ali." Sam paused to make it clear this was her choice.

"As you know the Harrington Foundation is holding a fundraiser. Something black-tie and accompanied by a silent auction. Harvell Enterprises," Sam looked at Vicky who sat up straighter at the mention of the company she worked for, "will be providing most of the items for our party goers to bid on."

Sam swallowed. He was kind of putting Ali on the spot here. Maybe he should have asked her in private first. Everyone was looking at him, waiting for him to go on. He focused on Ali.

"You see, the thing is...we have no idea what we're doing. We need help. We need someone to ...well...make the thing happen."

"Oh," Ali looked around the table, "You need an event planner. I'm not sure I know anyone out here." She turned to Noah. "Maybe you do?"

Vicky cut in. "No, silly. He wants you to do it. Be the event planner."

"Me?" Ali surveyed the table. Vicky rolled her eyes. Cruz nodded encouragingly.

Sam squeezed her hand. "Only if you want to."

She took another spin around the table and took in each person's response before returning her gaze to Sam. She seemed to be asking him if he was sure. Sam nodded.

"I do." Those words from Ali's lips struck a chord in Sam. He found himself releasing a breath he didn't know he had been holding.

"Great!" exclaimed Cruz.

"Yeah, great," echoed Vicky. Then she added, "Cause we need help. We don't even have a venue yet and we need to get the invitations out before half of our guests commit to other events. It has to be a good crowd. And don't get me started on the invitations. The designers are demanding a theme. Black tie," she air quoted the last two words," is not enough for these rich people, they have to dress up or it's not worth it."

"Vicky," Sam interjected, "Let's give Ali a minute to catch up."

"No, she's right."

Vicky looked dejected at Ali's validation of her concerns. "I am? I mean, yeah!"

"We need to make some decisions now." Ali took on a serious stance, removing her hand from Sam's and pulling out her phone." I'll check and see what other events are going on and their themes so we have something unique."

Sam sat on his hands to stop from dancing in his seat. Ali was in power mode, taking charge. He knew this was a good idea. With Ali at the helm, there was no way this event wouldn't be a huge success.

"Don't forget about the venue." Vicky reminded the table.

Noah piped up. "Hey, I know a great space for this event." All eyes turned towards him, except Ali who was typing on her phone. "I know the owner and he'd probably let you use it for a deal."

"Really, Noah?" Ali gave her full attention to the man on her right. "Your art gallery would be the perfect spot."

"Only for you, pet."

The glee seeped from Sam's system. Ali spending more time with Noah was not part of the plan.