on？” Ken screamed； his freckled face turning as red as his curly shoulder…length hair。
“Sorry；” Serena sighed； pulling anxiously on the sleeve of her vintage black and white wool Givenchy dress。 It had been a long morning。 Really； it had been a long week。 Nate had hardly said two words to Serena at brunch the other day。 And the only words Blair had said to her since then were about Nate。
“Okay。 Let’s start all over again。 Take！” Ken screamed loudly； his voice cracking up an octave。
“I love you。” Serena concentrated on Thad’s large； wide…set； I’m pletely gay eyes。 “There’s never been anyone else。 My dreams didn’t lie。 Even when I sleep next to you； I dream about you。”
“CUT！” Ken shrieked angrily。 “You sound like you’re talking to your goddamn guinea pig。 Who the fuck cares if you love him？ I don’t。 Anyone？ Anyone on set？” One timid； owlish…looking assistant raised her hand。 Ken held up his clipboard as if he were going to throw it。 “Great。 Fucking Mousy Girl over there will net our film ten dollars。 Off my set！” he yelled theatrically as the terrified…looking assistant scampered away。 Ken cradled his head in his hands and sighed。
“You okay？” Thad whispered。 Serena nodded； but she could feel beads of anxious sweat creep down her spine。 She took a seat on a peach jacquard–covered wingback chair in the corner。 A makeup assistant immediately scurried up and dabbed powder on her forehead。
“Okay；” Thaddeus whispered。 “I think you know me too well。 Forget about me and just pretend you’re talking to the love of your life。 Listen； this is how I would say it if I were talking to Serge。” Thad turned toward Serena and closed his eyes。
“There’s never been anyone else；” Thad began dramatically； opening his eyes once more and gazing at S