Upshot
She had started this thing with Chuck out of a warped desire for revenge. She hadn't expected to fall in love.
1.
Blair loved the bustle of the city; Manhattan had spoiled her, in more ways than one. But sweating it out on the streets of New York could try the patience of even the most seasoned upper-east 'sider. 90 degree heat and incompetent shop assistants had left her frazzled and agitated all day. Not only had she been unable to find a dress for the benefit on the 8th, the idiots at Starbucks had screwed up her coffee order. Twice. How hard was it to provide competent service? However, a double shot non-fat iced vanilla latte, a biscotti, and a classic, well fitted, season-appropriate gown was apparently an ask too high for the throng of college drop outs and single mothers manning the tills that afternoon. Blair had a theory that once summer rolled around, anyone with an ounce of intellect abandoned the city for the peace and quiet of the Hamptons, leaving the running of stores to inept plebs from the outer boroughs.
To top it all, Nate's cell had continually gone to voicemail all day. She hadn't heard from him in almost a week, and she was starting to wonder if he was avoiding her. He'd been distant for a while, but now that school was over, he had apparently abandoned all pretence of maintaining a functioning relationship with her. In moments of weakness and quiet desperation, she even considered calling Chuck Bass and begging for information. But that was too pathetic- her pride balked at the thought of Chuck's derision, and the sting of humiliation that would undoubtedly follow. No, she was resigned to suffer in silence. It was at times like these, though, that she found herself missing Serena the most.
Her phone chirped in her hand, breaking her from her thoughts. She fumbled in her haste to answer, failing to check the caller ID.
"Nate?" Even to her ears, her voice sounded embarrassingly breathy.
"Not even close. Catch you at a bad time, did I Waldorf? Engaging in some extracurricular activities?" Blair flushed deeply.
"Urgh. You're heinous. I'm hanging up."
"Hang on a minute. I need to talk to you." Taking a deep breath, Blair steeled herself from the coming conversation.
"Make it quick. I'm busy."
"I'm sure." Blair scoffed, shifting her few shopping bags into her left hand uncomfortably.
"Was there actually a point to this conversation, Bass, or did you call for the sole purpose of sexually harassing me?" She could hear his amusement down the line.
"Whilst that idea undoubtedly holds merit, I was actually hoping to have a word with you. In person. Come over to the suite."
"Um, no thank you."
"It's important." Blair sighed with irritation. Sometimes she wondered why she even tolerated him.
"Can't you just tell me now?"
"I'd rather not." Blair considered his words.
"Well, I'm not meeting you at the Palace. You can come to my Mother's. I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."
"Where are you? I'll pick you up." She was tempted to ignore his demands, but she didn't much fancy walking any further in the heat, so relented.
"Fifty-ninth and Lexington."
"Planning on taking the Subway?" His tone was appallingly derisive.
"I was at Bloomingdales."
"Yes, of course you were. I'll be there in five." The line went dead and Blair was left to silently fume.