Echoes of the Upper East Side

Shining start

  At 4:59 pm, Nate called. "I'm downstairs now."
 
  "Okay, I'm coming."
 
  Nate stood ready with the door open like a gentleman as Serena came down. She could tell by the way he looked at her that the dress was a good choice. As she walked toward him, he smiled. "That dress is not fair at all. Wow, you look stunning," he said, leaning in to give her a kiss on the cheek and pulling her in for a hug, enjoying the moment more than he should.
 
  "You look extremely handsome as well, and so grown-up."
 
  They sat in the back seat, making small talk. "Serena, you are just a lifesaver. It has been so hectic lately, so I really appreciate you agreeing to be my date."
 
  "It's me who should thank you, Nate. I am literally going crazy soon, eating Chinese takeout every night. Dan is just so focused on writing all the time, it is insane. I eat and sleep alone, literally, so thank you for taking me out."
 
  "Anytime, Serena," he said with his charming smile.
 
  When they arrived at the venue, it was easy to see it was one of the big gatherings. "I feel totally underdressed now," Serena said.
 
  "Don't be silly. You look fantastic. Let's go in and get you drunk," Nate laughed.
 
  Serena hadn't thought about how she would avoid drinking. Normally, she would be the first to order, but now she had to think of something. She brushed it off, saying she had been busy since becoming mayor. Nate took her arm and led her inside. As they entered, they were met with a round of applause. People came up to congratulate Nate. Being a gentleman, Nate held on to Serena. After a while, Nate whispered to Serena, asking if they could go to the bar, already leading her there.
 
  "What will you have?" Nate asked.
 
  "Um, I think I'll wait for a bit."
 
  "What? Come on, don't tell me marrying Dan has turned you boring?" he asked.
 
  "No, I have just found out you can actually have an awesome night without alcohol."
 
  "Where is Serena and what have you done with her?" he teased.
 
  She smiled, knowing it didn't sound like her at all. Nate continued, "Peace with that, but I need something."
 
  They stood at the bar, and Nate said, "There's a man who hasn't stopped looking at you since you came, Serena. I'm starting to get scared; he hasn't removed his eyes from you."
 
  Serena laughed. "I am not here to make acquaintances."
 
  "Then you should definitely have worn another dress. You are mesmerizing, but you always have been, you know."
 
  "There is a pretty lady headed your way, and she has been eyeing you since we came here. She definitely wants a piece of Archibald."
 
  Nate looked over. "She is cute."
 
  "Nate Archibald, is that you?" the woman asked, and he nodded.
 
  "I'm Lydia Langley. Congratulations on becoming mayor."
 
  Nate introduced Serena, and Lydia began flirting heavily with Nate after he told her they were only friends. Serena stepped back. She ordered some sparkling water while Nate was engrossed with Lydia. Serena hadn't been standing there long when a guy their age approached and showed interest. He flirted heavily, and Serena was flattered, but she didn't flirt back. He was persistent, but an acquaintance called him away. Serena looked over at Nate, who was talking to his grandfather. He signaled for Serena to join them. She went over and politely greeted him.
 
  "Serena, you are truly a sight for sore eyes. We were always rooting for you and Nate, but maybe we'll be right after all now that you're his date," Nate's grandfather said.
 
  "Mr. Vanderbilit, Nate and I—"
 
  Nate interrupted Serena. "Who knows, grandfather," he said, glancing at Serena and then back at his grandfather.
 
  His grandfather excused himself. "I see someone I need to talk to. Miss Van der Woodsen, please save me a dance for later," he said, clapping Nate on the shoulder before disappearing into the crowd.
 
  "What was that? I thought we were over the fake-dating stage. Are you seeing a middle-aged married woman again?" she teased.
 
  "Haha, Serena, very funny. No, I didn't want to disappoint him."
 
  "Disappoint him by saying we are friends?"
 
  "I know it sounds weird, but ever since we were small, they hoped we would end up together. When we didn't, all the Vanderbilts were disappointed in a way."
 
  "I thought your whole family rooted for you and Blair."
 
  "It wasn't a secret that for the longest time, I was crushing hard on you, and they knew that. Anyway, I saw Mr. Hottie going all in on you. I can't leave your side before men start throwing themselves at you," he smiled.
 
  "Kind of annoying. But what about Miss Langley? She was not hiding that she wanted you to go home with her."
 
  "Haha, she was cute, and maybe my younger self would have brought her home. But now, I think I need to be a little more considerate when choosing a partner. I haven't been so lucky with them throughout the years, and I don't want to have an image as a womanizer."
 
  "You said she was cute. Maybe she was more than just a night of pleasure. How can you know if you don't give it a chance?"
 
  "Just the vibe, and she licked my earlobe after five minutes."
 
  "Ewww, so tacky."
 
  "Exactly. It would have just been a few hours of fun."
 
  Serena thought a few hours of fun sounded amazing. When she and Dan finally had sex, it was done so quickly, and she hadn't enjoyed it since their honeymoon in the Bahamas.
 
  "Hey, what's wrong? You just changed your whole facial expression."
 
  "Come, we should sit down now," she said. They found their seats, sharing a table with both Langley and the man who had flirted with Serena earlier. "This should be interesting," Serena said quietly.