e…mails； but always deleted them before she hit send。 She wanted to tell him she understood why he freaked out last year； but could never find the words。 She wanted to let him know that she was sorry； that she never meant to hurt him； and that it was fine if he never wanted to be together。 But she needed to be friends with him—somehow。 She couldn’t imagine her life without Nate in it。
“Serena！” Kati Farkas cried from the other end of the bar。 “Did you break up with Breckin O’Dell？”
Serena tried to smile。 It was going to be a long evening。
The best ones always are。
Serena took the bottle of Ketel on the bar counter； splashed it liberally in a Riedel glass； then topped it with a thin layer of cranberry juice。 Maybe a drink would help her feel better。 She took an unhappy sip and scanned the room。
Which was when she saw him—all five feet； ten inches of tall； honey gold hair； glittering green…eyed goodness。 He wore a dark blue overcoat and looked out of place in the overheated suite。
Serena held on to the granite bar for support。 Around her L’école girls were passing around a joint and laughing。 She felt like she was going to faint。 She had to talk to him； but what if he didn’t want to talk to her？ Or worse； what if he was just polite？ What if he talked to her like she’d been his high school lab partner？
She drained the rest of her drink and spontaneously threw her arms around his back。 “Happy New Year； Natie！” she yelled into his shoulder blades as if it were the old days； and she’d just seen him a couple hours ago； rather than a whole year。 His body felt stronger than she’d remembered； and she could feel his taut muscles through his shirt。
“Serena；” Nate said dumbly； turning so his face was inches from hers。 He could