Now, three years later, Brooke was standing only a few feet away from the girl who'd she hadn't seen since that night. Sam left early the next morning, only returning to the house when Brooke wasn't there to gather her things. Sam had made excuses on holidays, a project, a trip, anything to avoid going home to see the parentals – and Brooke. She never set foot in the Palace again. After her second year, she's cut off all contact with her friends. After graduation, even her family was cut off. Brooke sometimes wondered if she at least spoke to her mother, having Jane deny any such communication whenever Brooke asked.
But now, here she was. Brooke was in New York on a business trip and, having no way to even contact Sam, hadn't even made plans to contact her erstwhile step-sister. She'd come to a party thrown by a number of large defense contractors. Senators and other millionaires mingled freely.
Sam looked more beautiful than Brooke had ever seen her, hair styled, elegantly – and expensively dressed, make-up and skin flawless. She looked genuinely stunned when she turned to see Brooke. She'd felt someone watching her, but never guessed who it would be. For a second, Brooke was sure she'd seen Sam gasp.
At that moment a man bumped into Brooke as he staggered past. When Brooke looked back, Sam McPherson was gone. Brooke felt her heart sink at the realization.
"Hello McQueen" she heard the sneer in the voice behind her ear.
Spinning around, she as face to face with the girl she never expected to see again. Sam was sipping a martini and looking confident – even a bit smug, Brooke thought.
"What brings you here?" Sam said with a arched eyebrow. Brooke stammered an explanation – her job sent her to try and butter-up the big wigs that her firm represented – she was a lawyer, she added belatedly.
"I see," Sam replied, seeming only half-interested. "Well, s'been fun, see ya B."
"Wait Sam!" She surprised herself by almost shouting. "It's been three years, surely we can... say more than a few words. C-Can I see you while I'm here."
"I don't know if that's a good idea, B."
"Please Sam. I miss you."
For the first time since they began speaking, Brooke saw genuine emotion come across Sam's perfectly presented face.
"You're right, I suppose three years is worth more than three minutes. Are you free tomorrow?"
"Yes, we could have lunch..."
"Dinner" Sam countered. Where are you staying? I'm meet you around nine."
"The plans were made and, before Brooke could ask any further questions, her friend was gone.
"She seemed so cold, so defensive," Brooke thought. "What's happened to her?"