Serena van der Woodsen entered the large office, wondering why she was intimidated by it. She'd gone to larger companies, larger buildings, but none rattled her nerves like this one. Perhaps it was because she had no idea what she was doing here, or maybe it was the fact that this particular publishing house was owned by Dan Humphrey.
She brushed a lock of hair back behind her ear, approaching the reception desk. "Hi, I have an appointment with Benjamin White."
"Name?"
"Serena van der Woodsen." She replied confidently, watching the older woman tap a few keys into the computer, frowning.
"Mr. White has come down with a case of stomach flu so he is unavailable to attend your meeting today. However, Mr. Humphrey can squeeze you in. One of his meetings got canceled. As a matter of fact, he's heading down right now." She smiled at Serena, unaware that she was making long lost butterflies erupt within her stomach.
"Oh, alright. I'll just wait."
As if on cue, the elevator doors opened and a tall brunette guy stepped out, dressed impeccably in a dark green dress shirt. "Janet? Who am I meeting today?"
"Ms. Van der Woodsen." The receptionist pointed at Serena and instantly, Dan looked over, mouth crinkling into a familiar smile. He was even more gorgeous than she remembered. His jaw looked more well defined and he grown a few more inches, towering slightly above her head.
"Hi, I'm Dan Humphrey. You are applying for a junior editor position, am I correct?" He motioned to follow her into the elevator as she nodded, clutching her briefcase nervously.
He lead her into his office, sitting down at his desk while she sat in the wooden chair in front of it. "Would you like anything to drink? Water, coffee, orange juice?"
She shook her head, crossing her legs. "No, I'm fine."
"Alright, so tell me. Why do you think you can get this job?" He leaned back in his chair slightly, folding his hands together.
"Well, I graduated from Brown with a degree in English and there's something that draws me to this job." She paused, fidgeting under his intense gaze. "I want to make someone great because of their writing."
"What inspired you to get into editing? Last time, I checked you were going to major in drama." He said, eyes never leaving hers.
"In my junior year, I dated this guy and he was a writer. He got his story published and since that day, I've wanted to see that happiness again."
Dan nodded, leaning forward. "Ms. Van der Woodsen, for this job I expect someone to be punctual, someone who can find mistakes that most cannot."
"I can do that if you'd let me prove it to you." She stared him in the eyes, still wondering why he had pretended they had never met except for that one slip up.
"Very well. Tonight. Dinner at the Palace to celebrate your new job. 8 o'clock, is that alright?" He stood, unconsciously asking her to do the same. "For business of course."
"Business." She echoed, shaking his hand. "Of course."
--
He sat there, checking his watch nervously. It was just a business dinner, nothing more. Oh who was he kidding? Checking the door again, he let out a sigh of relief when he spotted her familiar head of golden locks. He stood, smoothing his tie.
She smiled, approaching him. He had changed into a suit, nothing over the top. Just a fitted blazer with a white shirt and a tie She also couldn't help but notice that the shirt clung tightly to him, making her mind flash back to one of their steamy hookups together.
He grinned at her, pulling out her chair. "You look great." His eyes skimmed appreciatively down her yellow gown clad form.
"You do too." The second he sat back down, a waiter appeared at, handing them both a menu.
"Would you like anything to drink?"
"Just water's fine." Serena smiled, not wanting to do anything she would regret.
"Actually since we're celebrating, how about a bottle of Moet?" She shrugged at his suggestion, deciding that one little glass couldn't hurt.
The waiter nodded and left, returning quite quickly. While he filled their glasses, Serena turned to Dan, watching him raise his glass, toasting her. "To you."
"To old friends."
Dan laughed, clinking glasses with her before taking a long gulp. "Alright. Congratulations."
The waiter came back again, refilling their glasses and taking their orders. "I'll have the lobster bisque and tortellini."
"I'll have the same." Serena smiled, handing him the menu.
"So how's-"
"What happened?" She blurted out, quickly taking a sip of champagne to sooth her frazzled nerves.
"Pardon?"
"What happened when we left for college?" She set her glass down, playing with the ends of the tablecloth.
"We broke up." He muttered, focusing his attention on his crystal clean plate. "For good, right?"
"Yeah." She took a breath, feeling her insides jump around and not in the good way.
The meal seemed to last forever, each second, each bite agonizing. They finally made their way to dessert, the champagne more than half gone. "How's your chocolate..thing?" Dan asked, swallowing a bite of his cheesecake.
"Great, needs some strawberries though." She said, unaware of the memories she brings up. "And some powdered sugar." She covered it up quickly, blushing.
"Looks good." He nodded his approval and they polished off their desserts in silence. As the waiter whisked away the dishes, Dan held up his glass again for another toast. "I just want to congratulate you again, on a job well done."
"You were desperate for an editor, you would've taken anyone."
"Don't believe everything you read." He laughed, finishing off the rest of the bubbly.
Serena giggled, giddy from the champagne. "I should go back home. First day tomorrow."
"You know, I bring a lot of clients here. They'd probably give us a room." Dan muttered, signing the credit card receipt.
Serena nodded, resisting the urge to say that she could probably get a room too. "Okay."
"Excuse me for just one moment." He stood, walking with the check towards the waiter.
--
"Here we go." Dan swung open the door, setting Serena's briefcase on the desk. "I'll be off then, see you tomo-"
"You don't have to go." She murmured, blushing furiously. "You could stay and we could.."
"Talk."
"Yeah...talk or something." Her dazzling green eyes met his brown ones, her heart starting to pound loudly.
He walked towards her slowly, taking each step carefully until he was standing directly in front of her. "Or something." He took her face in his hands, kissing her for just a second before pulling away, eyes questioning.
She nodded her approval, hands flitting to the collar of his shirt as he brought his lips to hers again.
They weren't going to get any talking done that night.