were chatting and clinking their silverware。 But suddenly； the noise was intolerable。 “I can’t do this；” she blurted； the words out before she could stop them。 She glanced up at Chuck。 His face was impossible to read。 “I can’t；” she said more firmly。 Her voice trembled； but she was more sure of herself than she’d been in a long time。
Chuck’s face fell。 “Do you mean the apartment？ You can redo it if you want…。”
Blair shook her head。 The apartment was beautiful。 But it wasn’t right。 For one； she’d never wanted to live in the Village。 Ever since she was little； whenever she’d imagined her life as an adult； she pictured an apartment off Fifth Avenue within walking distance of Barneys and the park。 But it wasn’t just location。 It was the fact that deep down； she wasn’t sure if she wanted to be in a relationship。 At least not right now。 Not with someone who was so ready to settle down。 Weren’t your twenties supposed to be wild and crazy and full of adventures？
Let’s hope so。
“Sorry。” Blair absentmindedly pulled the ugly red carnation out of its vase on the table and began ripping it apart。 The dark red petals fell to the oak table like little drops of blood。 “I’m just—I think I need a break；” she said just as a black…shirted waiter approached the table； order pad in hand。
“I’ll e back；” the waiter squeaked in a high falsetto； turning terrifiedly on his newly shined heel。
“I mean； the apartment is great； but what if I get into Harvard Law？ Then what？ What if I decide to take a year off before law school and live in Paris？” Blair said in a rush of words； surprising herself as she heard them。
“I understand；” Chuck said thickly。 His dark eyes clouded over and he glanced out the steamy restaurant window at the pedestrians passin