he arm of Vanessa？s chair；
suddenly so nervous； he couldn？t drink his champagne。 She wasn？t looking at him； but he hoped
she was listening。 ？I guess I should？ve told him before I made my speech。？
Vanessa was watching Serena as she flirted with Jarvis Cocker？the crazy cool British DJ wearing
a black top hat at his station across the room。 She had to admire how pletely shameless Serena
was。 She？d do anything as long as it wasn？t too illegal or humiliating； just because it amused her。
The thing Vanessa most admired； though； was that Serena wasn？t conceited？she was justSerena 。
And she didn？t seem to need anyone else to be Serena。 She was just fine being herself。
？See； I kind of changed my mind about going to Evergreen；？ Dan continued。 ？At least； not right
away。？
Vanessa could feel Dan staring at her and she realized he was trying to tell her something
important and that she？d missed half of it。 ？Wait。 What？？
Dan slid off the arm of the chair and knelt down on the burnished amber wood floor； grasping her
hands in his。？I do not love you except because I love you；？ he recited。
Vanessa was glad the room was so crowded； otherwise she might have been a little embarrassed。
？I can？t imagine not sharing the air you breathe； living all those miles away；？ Dan told her
earnestly； in his own words this time。 ？Like I said in my speech； I can go to college any time； but
I？m in love with you now。 And the only thing I want； my only requirement； is to be with you。？
Vanessa？s face turned hot and prickly。 Yes； she loved him； but did he have to be so darned
dramatic？ ？So you？re ？？ Her voice trailed off uncertainly。
？Staying here；？ Dan filled in； gazing up