en； in the car； she kept glancing back at
them in the rearview mirror； but every time Blair was just staring placidly out the window； and
Nate was resting his eyes。 Nothing amiss。 So why did she feel so 。。。weird？
She raised her glass and swallowed a small sip of the tart cocktail； finally recognizing someone
in the crowd： a broad…chested； curly…brown…haired guy was seated at the edge of the pool； legs
dangling in the water。 His brown eyes had a familiar sparkle as he took in the scene around him；
drumming his long； tapered fingers on the neck of his beer bottle。 The tiniest suggestion of a grin
played on his full lips； and Serena knew that behind those lips were two rows of brilliant white
teeth。 She could picture his smile； she could practically hear the tremulous sound of his voice as
he whispered the words she？d run away from。 That was the last time she？d seen him； exactly one
year ago。
Henry was the bassist in Hanover？s jazz band。 He was tall and cute with dark curls that fell into
his eyes； and a mischievous smile。 Serena？s dorm room had been right under his； and late at night
she？d throw her textbooks at the ceiling； waiting for him to drop something loud and heavy on the
floor in response。 Sometimes？actually； a lot？they？d hang out on the roof and drink whiskey and
smoke cigars。 They？d been good friends； and then the year had ended and they？d wound up in
Ridgefield together？his family lived there year round； and she summered there。 The night before
her seventeenth birthday she and Henry had stayed up late； drinking and talking； and had wound
up on their backs on the tennis court； waiting for shooting stars； and eventually kissing。 Then；