Ryan looks to Aurora before continuing, "I can't have any association with Aurora. No one can know we know each other if she's going to succeed at staying undercover. That's why I need someone else to introduce her to Roderick."

"Why not Austin? He and Margot must be going to the Hemming's party," I ask.

"I don't want to have to fill Margot in on anything. I can't trust her to not tell Molly and as you know Molly and Theo have a past. It would be easier if Aurora was an old friend or cousin of yours that is just in town for the holidays," Ryan answers. I can tell with each of their responses that they haven't thought much through. They must have called me as soon as the idea popped into their head because neither of them has thought about connections or logistics. I look back to her before saying, "Cousin isn't possible because Annabeth, Gus and Jackson would know I don't have a cousin that's not from the south. My whole family lives in Mississippi with the exception of my Grandmother Tilly who lives in Georgia, but even she grew up here."

"I could be from Mississippi." She answers but I immediately shake my head, "You're telling me you want to be from 'sippi and you don't have a hint of an accent?"

"Yours is faint," she responds tartly and I quickly reply, "Yes because I had years and years of classes fixin' me up but you still can't pry me away from my y'alls. That and the drawl makes the belle."

"Okay, so then I attended those classes with you," she suggests back and once again I am shaking my head. This woman has no idea how Hollis works.

"Aurora let me ask you, where did you grow up?" I ask. She looks thrown by my question and then replies, "Seattle."

"Okay, so do you know what cotillion is? Evangelical Protestantism? How about the difference between a Melrose silver pattern and a Strasbourg? What dance did you learn at charm school cuz bless your heart if you ain't know how to do the shag," I say, laying it on thick with my drawl and batting my eyelashes for effect. Even Ryan looks to me stunned and I look to both of their blank faces.

"Didn't think you did. Now because I basically just spoke to you in a foreign language how are you supposed to be a friend from my classes? And since I met Jackson at Ole Miss, he would know you aren't a college friend. Also if you do make it into the party, a new face will draw the attention of LulaBelle Anders who will pester you with a million questions about what clubs you are in and what chapter of the Junior League you're associated with," I say and I can tell she's getting flustered. I truly think Ryan and Aurora thought her coming with me would be a piece of cake.

"Okay, well we have a few days before the party. We can create a background for me that makes sense. I may not know all about what you just said but I know southerners like sweet tea, fried chicken and NASCAR. I could blend in with that," she says. If my looks could kill she'd be dead on the floor.

"You are thinking of Ryan's south sweetheart. This is old money south. We prefer Gorham sterling silver to Gucci and I can guarantee that anyone that associates with Theo and Rory ain't muddin' and drinkin' from red solo cups on the weekend." I look to Ryan while trying to control my ill feelings towards Aurora. He hasn't said much but I flatly add, "I think it would be easier if she's an old friend of yours."

He shakes his head again, "I don't want anyone to believe she is F.B.I. The majority of the town now knows I am but I'm hoping because I helped out with the Penderghast case they will think I am homicide and not narcotics. I don't want any ties to Aurora period."

"Is there any situation where I could know you that someone at the party couldn't verify?" She asks. I bite my lip as I look her over. Annabeth would be suspicious of any "friend" I suddenly have and Jackson would know she's not a relative. She doesn't have a trace of an accent and she has a rather forgetful face- which unfortunately means Whitney wouldn't have had any association with her in high school and in turn I wouldn't have either. I think back to all of my classes growing up but LulaBelle, Molly and Margot were all in attendance as was half of the women my age going to the Hemming's party.

Suddenly, Annabeth's envelope comes to mind. I snap my fingers and look back to both of them, "You can be from the D.A.R. My mother is always hosting visiting members so it would make sense for us to host another."

"That could work," Ryan agrees and Aurora mulls it over. We are both looking to her but I really don't see any other way.

"You could still be from Washington and not need any real knowledge of Hollis or our traditions," I add and she suddenly shakes her head.

"No, any cover we come up with won't have me tied to Washington. But I do think that might be our easiest solution," she replies. Ryan finally decides to speak up and says, "What would get Rory interested in her? She can be from the D.A.R to blend in but what else would help gain his attention?"

I decide to play up my importance and make this a teaching moment. I pop up from my seat and stroll over to the whiteboard. Neither of them objects when I grab a dry erase marker and I spin around to face them as I uncap it.

"What do you know about Theo, Ryan?" I ask him and he sits back into his seat, looking amused as I play teacher.

"He's wealthy, travels the world, has his hand in many pies," he answers and I shake my head at him. I point to Ryan with the marker and reply, "That's half of Hollis. I'm asking you specifically, what do you know about Theo? What's one characteristic that is truly Theo?"

He thinks for a moment and then replies, "His favorite thing is himself."

I pump my fist in the air and say, "Ding ding ding! That is correct!" I turn to face the whiteboard and write, get Rory to talk about himself!!!! I spin back around and add, "Theo and Rory are men who love to talk and they love to brag. So if you really want to stir up a conversation ask him about himself. Then follow up with the following..." I go back to the board and bullet point- travel, family history and hobbies.

"I feel like most people enjoy talking about themselves. I feel that's fairly obvious," Aurora says unimpressed with my lesson and not taking any notes. I frown to her and reply, "Yes, but I can guarantee Rory will not ask you these questions in return. Do you think Theo has any idea where Ryan grew up? Do you think he even remembers that he and Austin are friends?"

"That's true," Ryan agrees and I nod my head.

"But I bet Ryan knows about Theo's Aston Martin collection. Or what whiskey and cigars he prefers. I bet you Ryan even knows where Theo vacationed last summer," I say while pointing the marker at him. He lets out a light laugh and nods, "Oh I know all about him sailing in Costa Rica."

"Exactly. So you need to get Rory talking and even if he brings up a place you've been to or a subject you know, you don't let him in on it. Hell, if he brings up Paris you don't even know where France is. That's how you play the game," I say while capping the marker. I feel rather important in this room right now. I have the upper hand and I am enjoying being in the power position. Both Ryan and Aurora need me, they would have never succeeded if they hadn't brought me in. Even Austin couldn't tell Aurora how to flirt with Rory because Austin doesn't understand that girls still have to play the damsel to attract their heroes.

"So you're saying I have to play dumb? Just get him talking and act interested in whichever way the conversation leads. Anything else?" She asks and I bite my lip before unleashing the next part.

"It will help that you are an outsider because that will help your intrigue. But your looks are what need to bring Rory over. He isn't going to come to the fanciest party in Hollis and waste his time with plain Jane- although those will help," I say, glancing straight at her melons. I watch both her and Ryan flush red but hey, she's the one with her buttons open.

"Okay well...I have four days to prepare for the party so just tell me where I need to go to get ready." She asks a bit flustered.

I look to her and reply, "You need to go to Delilah Sweeney. She'll know how to make you a belle."

"Is that a relative?" She asks me and I nod, "Oh yes. Delilah is my mother."