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y；　bald；　red…faced；　gold　cuff　bracelet–…wearing　husband。　He’d　gotten　fatter　in　the　four　years　since　they’d　been　married；　something　that　hardly　seemed　possible。

What　Cyrus　and　art　had　to　do　with　each　other　Blair　didn’t　know。　“I’m　starting　at　McMahon　Cannon；”　she　announced　to　no　one　in　particular。　Or　she　would　be　once　she　got　the　official　offer。　McMahon　Cannon　was　one　of　the　premiere　litigation　firms　in　the　city　and　would　look　great　on　her　résumé　when　she　applied　to　law　school。　Her　interview　had　gone　well…　she　hadn’t　tried　to　kiss　the　interviewer；　thank　God；　and　they’d　had　a　nice　conversation　about　Yale。　She　was　confident　that　she　would　be　accepted。

“That’s　great；　Blair；”　Serena　said；　sounding　so　genuinely　happy　for　her　that　Blair　wanted　to　tear　her　pretty　blond　hair　out　of　her　head　one　bloody　clump　at　a　time。　She　reminded　herself　that　while　Serena　was　going　to　be　reading　poetry　to　cornstalks；　she　was　going　to　be　wearing　power　suits　and　Louboutin　pumps　and　doing　things　that　mattered。

“You　girls　were　always　so　ambitious！”　Eleanor　trilled；　then　headed　off　to　the　kitchen　to　ensure　that　Myrtle；　the　cook；　was　handling　the　dinner　preparations　exactly　according　to　her　no…carb　specifications　and　hadn’t　drunk　herself　into　a　frenzy。

“Well；　glad　everything’s　going　well　with　you；”　Blair　said　flatly；　making　her　way　toward　the　dining　room　table。

Serena　nodded　and　sank　down　into　her　assigned　seat　next　to　Blair。　The　two　girls　stared　quietly　down　at　their　empty　plates。　They　were　inches　apart；　but　it　felt　like　miles。

There；　there。　A　reconciliation　might　be　closer　than　you　think。

love　is　blind…　and　embarrassing

Jenny　felt　like　a　movie　star　as　she　slid　out　of　the　leather　seat　of　the　Lincoln　Town　Car　and　onto　Seventy…second　and　Central　Park　West。　She　teetered　slightly　on　her　four…inch　heels。

“You　okay？”　Nate　asked；　catching　her　by　the　crook　of　her　elbow。　Jenny　nodded　gratefully　and　leaned　against　him　for　support。　He　smelled　like　Ralph　Lauren　Romance。　Jenny　had　always　wanted　a　boyfriend　who　used　that　cologne。

Which　was　exactly　why　she’d　given　him　a　bottle　for　his　birthday。

Nate　squeezed　her　shoulder。　“You　sure；　Meow？”　he　asked；　using　his　pet　name　for　her。　They’d　called　each　other　Meow　Meow　ever　since　an　orange　and　white　tabby　kitten　appeared　on　their　Providence　porch。　She’d　begged　Nate　to　let　her　bring　it　inside　the　house；　just　once。　But　Nate　refused。　He　hadn’t　wanted　to　be　an　asshole　about　it；　he　just　really　hated　cats。　They　were　so　creepy；　the　way　they　climbed　on　top　of　you　when　you　least　suspected　it；　the　way　they　couldn’t　play　fetch；　the　way　they　stared　at　you　while　you　were　naked。

Sort　of　like　girlfriends。

But　instead　of　sulking；　Jenny　made　a　joke　out　of　it。　She　began　acting　like　a　cat　at　the　most　random　times；　crawling　toward　him　on　her　hands　and　knees　in　bed　and　making　pleading　little　meows　that　made　him　laugh。　That　was　the　thing　about　Jenny。　She　was　sunny　and　sweet　and　unplicated。　It　made　him　feel　not　so　fucked　up；　not　so　confused。　And　he　needed　that　in　his　life；　especially　tonight。　He　was　pretty　sure　they　were　going　to　see　Blair　and　Serena　for　the　first　time　since　their　disastrous　Christmas　in　Newport　last　year。

“We’re　here　for　the　Rose　party；”　Nate　told　the　doorman。

The　doorman　nodded　and　waved　them　through　to　the　elevator　bank　on　the　other　side　of　the　palatial　marble　lobby。　A　large　Christmas　tree　was　set　up　in　the　corner　and　the　air　smelled　like　pine　and　nutmeg。

Jenny　caught　her　breath；　trying　to　hold　in　her　excitement。　She　and　Nate　lived　in　a　ramshackle　two…story　house　in　Providence。　He　was　at　Brown；　she　was　at　RISD；　and　everything　almost　seemed　too　good　to　be　true；　beyond　her　wildest　high　school　daydreams。　But　going　to　a　fancy　pre…Christmas　dinner　thrown　by　a　New　York　society　hostess　proved　that　their　relationship　existed　beyond　Providence；　that　they　were　really　and　truly　together。

After　leaving　Newport　last　Christmas；　they’d　sailed　to　Mt。　Desert　Island　and　camped　out　in　Nate’s　family’s　gorgeous　unwinterized　summer　home。　They　toasted　the　New　Year　on　a　blanket　in　front　of　the　fire。　It　was　impossibly　romantic。　Then；　her　last　semester　at　Waverly　they’d　talked　every　night　on　the　phone。　They　spent　the　summer　sailing　and　house　hunting　in　Providence。　So　far；　living　together　had　been　amazing。　She　loved　waking　up　to　Nate。　She　loved　brewing　an　extra…large　pot　of　coffee　and　pouring　a　travel　mug　for　him　so　he　could　drink　it　during　his　9　a。m。　poli…sci　class。　She　loved　texting　him　in　between　portraiture　and　her　Art　in　New　Media　class；　and　she　loved　attempting　to　make　dinner　for　them；　even　though　most　of　the　time　they　wound　up　just　ordering　in　and　eating　in　bed。

The　elevator　glided　up　to　the　top　floor；　and　they　followed　the　merry　voices　and　jazzy　sound　of　Miles　Davis　to　the　door　at　the　end　of　the　hall。　Nate　pushed　it　open　and　Jenny　breathed　in　again。　In　a　New　York　in　History　and　Literature　class　she’d　taken　last　year　at　Waverly；　they’d　discussed　the　importance　of　the　Four　Hundred—the　prominent　New　Yorkers　who　could　fortably　fit　into　Mrs。　Astor’s　grand　ballroom　circa　1880。　Walking　into　the　large　living　room　of　Eleanor　Waldorf’s　Central　Park　West　penthouse　made　her　feel　like　she　was　part　of　the　new　Four　Hundred—the　New　Yorkers　who　really　mattered。

“Nathaniel！”　A　woman　with　gold　highlights　approached　them。　“Blair　will　be　so　thrilled　to　see　you。　Everyone　is　just　getting　seated。　I　put　you　in　between　Blair　and　Serena。”

Mothers。

“Oh。”　A　shadow　of　a　frown　crossed　the　woman’s　face　as　she　noticed　Jenny　standing　by　Nate’s　side。

Jenny　blushed。　Had　she　done　something　wrong？　“Hello；”　she　said。

“I’m　Eleanor　Waldorf；”　Blair’s　mother　replied；　looking　at　Jenny’s　thrust…out　hand　without　shaking　it。　Jenny　let　her　hand　fall　slack　against　her　side。

“Jenny’s　my　girlfriend。　We’re　both　in　Providence　for　school；”　Nate　explained。　Behind　Eleanor’s　shoulder；　he　glimpsed　Blair　and　Serena　making　their　way　to　the　table。　He　could　only　see　their　backs；　but　Serena’s　hair　was　blonder　than　ever　while　Blair’s　chestnut　hair　was　loose　and　long；　hanging　down　to　her　shoulder　blades。

“Lovely。　Well；　I’ll　set　up　another　seat。”　Eleanor　gestured　toward　the　large　dining　room。

“Natie！”　Serena　grinned　when　she　spotted　her　old　friend　making　his　way　toward　them；　Jenny　Humphrey　clinging　to　his　hand。　Nate　looked　the　same　as　ever；　clad　in　a　Brooks　Brothers　jacket；　neat　dress　pants；　and　a　kelly　green　Hermès　tie。　“And　Jenny。”

“Nate；”　Blair　said；　nodding。　She　turned　to　the　beak…nosed　man　seated　next　to　her；　as　if　they　were　engaged　in　a　very　important　conversation　she　just　had　to　continue。

“Hey；”　Nate　mumbled；　unsure　of　whether　or　not　he　should　sit。　There　was　only　one　seat　available；　right　in　between　them。　Of　course；　he’d　known　Blair　and　Serena　would　be　here；　but　it　still　took　his　breath　away　to　see　them。　They　both　looked　so　grown…up。　Blair　wore　a　sexy　black…and…tan　halter　dress；　Serena　a　tight　red　dress　that　hugged　her　body。　Seeing　them；　so　secure　and　confident　and　beautiful；　momentarily　made　him　flustered。　It　would’ve　been　nice　to　have　smoked　a　large　bowl　before　ing　here。　He　rarely　smoked　pot　anymore；　but　he　often　missed　it。　Especially　when　he　was　stressed　out。　And　this　was　the　most　stressed　out　he’d　been　since…

Last　Christmas？

Jenny　tugged　his　arm。　“I’ll　sit　on　your　lap　for　now！”　she　announced；　giggling。　Against　his　better　judgment；　Nate　sat　on　the　chair　and　Jenny　slid　onto　his　knees；　wiggling　back　and　forth　until　she　found　a　fortable　perch。

Serena　rolled　her　eyes　good…naturedly　as　she　took　a　swig　of　her　wine。　“I　would　have　brought　Dan；　but　I　didn’t　know　he　was　invited。”

“Oops；”　Jenny　squeaked　nervously。　Her　curly　dark　hair　was　right　underneath　Nate’s　chin；　and　Nate　could　smell　her　lilac…scented　shampoo。　It　reminded　him　of　taking　showers　together。　But　instead　of　picturing　Jenny　in　the　shower；　an　image　of　Blair　popped　into　his　head。　Nate　squeezed　his　eyes　shut　to　block　out　those　memories；　concentrating　only　on　the　feel　of　Jenny　resting　on　his　lap。

“Wine？”　a　white…shirted　server　asked　behind　Nate’s　shoulder；　proffering　a　bottle　of　vintage　1981　L’Evangeline　Bordeaux。

“Meow　Meow？”　Nate　asked　before　picking　up　Jenny’s　glass。　Jenny　nodded　her　consent。　As　the　waiter　poured；　Nate　nuzzled　Jenny’s　dark　curls　with　his　nose。

Serena　shot　Blair　a　horrified　glance；　surprised　to　find　Blair’s　face　contorted　into　an　equally　horrified　grimace。　Meow　Meow？

Just　then；　Jenny　felt　a　tap　on　her　shoulder。

“Jennifer？”　She　whirled　around　and　found　Eleanor　Waldorf　frowning　at　her　in　annoyance。　For　a　second；　she　felt　like　an　awkward　ninth　grader；　caught　by　Mrs。　McLean　for　gossiping　in　the　hallway　when　she　was　supposed　to　be　in　class。　“If　you　don’t　mind；　I’m　going　to　move　you　over　to　the　other　end　of　the　table。　There’s　a　bit　more　space　for　you　down　there；”　Eleanor　said。　Even　after　three　years　in　LA；　which　had　a　looser　social　code　than　New　York；　it　was　clear　Eleanor　Waldorf　was　unfortable　with　public　displays　of　affection　at　the　table。

Can　you　blame　her？

Jenny　meekly　slid　off　Nate’s　lap　and　followed　Eleanor　to　a　seat　next　to　a　shaggy…haired　guy　about　her　age。　She　glanced　down　the　length　of　the　table；　where　Nate　was　staring　into　his　glass　of　wine；　looking　lonely。　She　sighed　unhappily。　Now　they　were　separated。

Calm　down；　Juliet。　It’s　just　dinner。

“Hey。　You’re　Jenny；　right？”　the　boy　next　to　her　asked。

Jenny　nodded；　even　though　she　had　no　idea　who　he　was。

“Didn’t　you　go　to　some　boarding　school？”　he　continued；　brushing　his　shaggy　bangs　out　of　his　large　brown　eyes。

“Yeah；　I　went　to　Waverly；　but　now　I’m　at　RISD；”　Jenny　said　distractedly；　watching　Nate　awkwardly　make　conversation　across　the　table　with　Blair’s　chubby；　red…faced　stepfather。

“I’m　Tyler；”　he　told　her。　“Blair’s　brother。”

“Nice　to　meet　you。”　Jenny　nodded。　“Are　you　in　school？”　she　asked　to　be　polite。

“Nah。”　He　shook　his　head。　“I　graduated　a　year　early　back　in　LA。　I’m　just　DJ’ing　around　town　for　the　next　couple　of　months。”　He　shrugged。

“Oh；”　Jenny　murmured。　She　was　dimly　aware　that　before　meeting　Nate；　she　would　have　been　ridiculously　attracted　to　Tyler。　Delaying　college　to　DJ　sounded　so　cool　and　downtown。　But　at　the　end　of　the　table　was　Nate　scraping　his　chair　back　and　heading　toward　her。　Her　heart　skipped　a　beat。　The　only　good　thing　about　being　separated；　even　if　it　was　only　for　five　minutes；　was　how　amazing　it　felt　when　they　saw　each　other　again。

“You　holding　up；　Meow？”　Nate　asked　sweetly　before　turning　to　Tyler。　“How　are　you；　man？”　he　asked；　clapping　him　on　the　back。

Jenny　smiled　up　at　Nate。　“Meow！”　she　purred　goofily；　not　caring　who　heard　her。　After　all；　they　were　in　love。　People　as　in　love　as　they　were　spoke　a　language　all　their　own。　So　what　if　no　one　else　could　understand。

M…ew；　m…ew。

great　minds　think　alike

Blair　poked　at　the　gelatinous　duck　confit　on　her　plate。　She　couldn’t　wait　until　Chuck　got　back　to　New　York　tomorrow。　It　was　torture　being　at　her　mom’s　dinner　party　without　a　date—especially　now　that　she　had　to　witness　Nate　and　Jenny　together。　Not　like　she　was　jealous；　it　was　just…　nauseating。

“Meow？”　Blair　felt　someone’s　breath　tickle　her　ear。　She　turned　to　see　Serena；　her　fingers　curved　toward　Blair　like　claws。

“Hey；　Meow　Meow；”　Blair　reciprocated；　giggling。　At　least　she　had　someone　else　to　talk　to　besides　Dick　Cashman；　the　cowboy　hat–wearing　associate　of　her　stepfather’s　seated　on　her　right。　Blair　watched　as　Nate；　hovering　over　Jenny；　took　a　forkful　of　asparagus　from　her　plate　and　popped　it　in　her　mouth；　making　little　choo…choo　noises　as　if　she　were　a　baby。　“Are　they　for　real？”　Blair　shook　her　head　in　disbelief。

Serena　wrinkled　her　nose。　“What　would　you　do　if　Chuck　started　feeding　you　in　public？”

“Stab　him　with　a　fork？”　Blair　guessed。　She　was　all　for　being　pampered　by　her　boyfriend；　but　that　meant　him　opening　doors　or　massaging　her　shoulders；　not　treating　her　like　an　infant　or　demented　prisoner　who　couldn’t　be　trusted　with　utensils。

Serena　giggled　as　Nate　fed　Jenny　another　bite。　“Well；　she’s　young。”

“She’s　not　that　young；”　Blair　scoffed。　After　all；　Jenny　Humphrey　was　a　freshman　in　college。　When　Blair　had　been　a　freshman；　she’d　practically　turned　down　a　marriag