ar golden mane any…where： the place was that packed。 Nate
pushed his way across the dance floor； ignoring the beckoning wave of some short； overly tanned
weirdo who was wearing sunglasses even though they were inside。 There was no time for small
talk： he was a man on a mission。
Nate slipped into the tiny sliver of a kitchen and hopped up onto the countertop。 From that
vantage； he surveyed the apartment； looking for Tawny。 The apartment was pletely packed。
There were faces he recognized？Isabel and Kati huddled in a corner； whispering to each other as
usual； that pale； grim…looking bald girl was talking to some little kids？but for the most part； the
room was crowded with strangers
Then there she was： her distinct blond hair was unmistak…able。 It was full and wavy and fell over
her tan freckled shoulders； one of which was bare where her peach…colored top had slipped off。
Nate had to admit it was pretty sexy。 He saw that she was grinding with Chuck Bass； who？d
unzipped his mint…green shirt and was gyrating bare…chested to a dance remix of that Ciara song。
Ew。
Nate felt a tug on the leg of his Trovata khakis and looked down to see Serena smiling up at him。
？Whatcha looking for？？ she asked； hoisting herself up onto the countertop beside him。
？Hey；？ Nate said； helping her up。 He was grateful for the pany of an old friend。
Serena scanned the room and looked in the direction in which Nate was staring intently； watching
the almost…obscene display of Chuck and Tawny dancing。
？You know；？ Serena whispered into Nate？s ear。 Her breath was sweet and tickled him pleasantly。
It was a nice； familiar sensation。 ？You don？t have anything to worry about。