第28部分(第3/7 页)

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。