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"You did it! I just got a call from Clive confirming our journalist can attend 4 dates on the east coast leg of Milo's tour." Dan's voice is exuberant and I can't help but smile at his joy.

"You're welcome." I say with a satisfied grin.

"I seriously owe you." His happiness is palpable, even through the phone.

"That's okay, you helped me out with Scrabble and let's not forget who's phone I'm using right now."

"No way. Those are two minuscule favors compared to what you just did for me. This profile could be huge for the magazine. I had an idea anyways." His reaction is not what I was expecting. The moment I brought up the phone I had regretted it, worried he would start demanding it back. But the fact that he said something so opposite makes me glow a little inside.

"Hm, what's your idea?" I can't help but be intrigued. And also joyous that he now considers the phone situation 'minuscule.'

"My sister, Jenny, is a costume designer. I told her about your ring dilemma and she said she knows of a jeweler who can create a replica of the ring."

"A replica?" I say in disbelief. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"So you in? We can meet with him later today if you're free. You just need to bring a photo of the ring so he has something to go off of."

"Sounds easy enough." I say brightly. I can't believe my troubles could have been solved this easily sooner. A replica ring. I feel almost stupid for not thinking of it myself.

So that's how I find myself on a busy sidewalk at 3 PM scouring the bustling crowds for Dan's curly mop of hair. The oddness strikes me as I look. I've only met this man once, for less than 5 minutes. Yet I feel this inexplicable connection to him. That is what sharing a cell phone will do to you, I suppose.

"Blair." I hear Dan's unmistakable voice behind me and I turn around. Then, he's there, right in front of me. No longer just a guy who's phone I'm using. I guy I text, email, and occasionally call. It's odd having his warm brown eyes staring back at me.

"Hello." I say coolly, hoping it masks my jitters. I don't know what's come over me. I never get flustered or socially awkward, why am I struggling to act normally? I guess it's weird coming face to face with the person who you shared quite a bit with only through technology. I mean, I confessed my Scrabble woes to him? What more is there to give up at this point? He knows that I suck at puzzles and that my future in-laws think I'm a bumbling idiot. Oh and also that I'm prone to losing value possessions.

"Hi. Should we go in?" He points to the tiny hole-in-the-wall jewelry shop. I nod and follow him in. The shop is empty and seemingly desolate. But there's a bell to ring so I press it and a moment later a tiny man with white hair appears.

"Ahh, Dan Humphrey. Your sister told me you would be coming. I am Albert." The man proffers his hand and Dan shakes it then he does the same to me. "You must be Blair."

I nod. "Thank you for seeing us on such short notice. We just really needed the ring imminently."

"I completely understand." Albert gives a conspiratorial smile which makes me wonder if he frequently replicates lost engagement rings. Maybe I'm not the only one, the thought brightens my mood even more. "So have you considered the design?"

"Well, yes. Of course." My tone is matter-of-fact. What other design would I want than the one I had before? I retrieve my phone from my purse and pull up the photo I emailed to myself last night. It's one of my ring-adorned hand that I had sent to Serena right after Marcus and I got engaged. I turn the phone to face Albert.

"Perfect. A photo makes this even easier." Albert pulls out a tray with gold, silver, and rose gold bands. "So have you decided on platinum or white gold?"

Dan pipes up, "What's the most inexpensive option?"

Albert furrows his brow momentarily. "Well, that would be silver-plated brass of course. But that wouldn't be my suggestion for such a special ring."

I consider this while Dan flips each band over in his palm. He turns to me, "What do you think, Blair?"

"I'll go with white gold." Blair Waldorf does not wear anything cheap, especially not a metal that will turn my finger gold. But I also realize that I don't need this ring to last forever so platinum would be a bit ridiculous. "So, could you distress the ring a little?"

"Certainly! I take it you like the antique look?" Well duh, I want to say.

"Of course." I say instead.

"Now, for the gemstones to replicate the ring in the photo we will do one sapphire surrounded by a cluster of diamonds, yes?"

"Perfect." I nod furiously.

"Great. Once I've sized your finger I can start the process and have the ring done within 3 days."

I sigh a little at the fact it'll take 3 days.

"Alright. So I can pick it up on Friday?" Albert nods in response. "When is the payment due?"

"Once the ring is complete, you can pay."

Dan and I are walking out when Albert's voice cuts in. "I forgot to say, congratulations! I wish you and your fiance much happiness."

I beam as I thank him and leave.

Once we're back on the street, Dan turns to me. "Coffee? I'm going to stop to get one." He gestures to the cafe up the road.

"Sure. It's on me though. I seriously owe you and I really don't like owing people." He grudgingly agrees and after I pay, we go sit at the bar while we wait for the drinks.

"Any important emails come in lately?" Dan asks.

"Yes, actually the editor-in-chief is sending you to Indonesia for a week. Better loosen that tie Dan, I heard it can be quite hot there."

Dan looks alarmed. "What? When did that email come in? Why are they sending me to Indonesia? Wha-"

I cut him off with a laugh. "Kidding. I told you I have been sending in all the emails. I am quite efficient you know."

He lets out a breath. "Why did I agree to this phone sharing thing again?"

"Because I'm quite charming and rather difficult to say no to."

"No but seriously, when are you going to reply to Jen from Whitehall PR? She really needs your RSVP to that party this weekend honoring Rolin Richardson. By the way, how did you even score an invite? My mother can't even get one and usually, she can get into anything with her connections."

Dan rolls his eyes. "I'm not going. I got invited because I wrote an article on him before he went big. Then we just did a follow-up feature last month."

I cannot believe him. That's like the most exclusive party of the moment and he's just going to skip it like it's no big deal.

"You should at least tell them. Show some common courtesy. That invite could be sent to someone more deserving. In fact, I'll let them know right now you won't be attending." I click reply and start typing. Hi Jen, Dan regrets to inform you he will not be able to make it. He sincerely appreciates your consideration in inviting him. Best, Blair Waldorf. I hit send before he can protest.

"You don't need to reply to emails for me. Darcy Klein can do it. She's a colleague's assistant who's aware of my lack of support and she's been put on it by HR until we can find someone else." Poor Darcy I think, having to assist two editors. That sounds like a huge workload. Plus, I find Dan's emails rather fascinating.

"I don't mind, really." Dan just shakes his head at me with a smile. My name gets called and both of our drinks are placed on the counter. I retrieve them and hand him the coffee."So thanks again, for setting up the ring appointment."

"It was no problem." He holds the door open and gestures me to go ahead. "Let me know once you've found the real ring so-"

I cut him off. "Return the phone, I know."

"Right." He offers me a hand to shake. "I hope everything works out."

I shake it politely. "You too." I suddenly wonder when his wedding to Georgina is. What if it's tomorrow or next week? When I go to return the phone he could have a ring on his finger. I contemplate this as I stand and hail a cab. Just thinking about her brings a scowl to my face. I don't understand how someone like him could marry her. She must be really hot or a total sex goddess (the thought makes me outwardly cringe) or both. She's sent in a slew of other emails since the first one I read and I am beginning to learn these berating emails are quite regular. Some rich excerpts include:

How hard is it to fucking say hello? It's common fucking courtesy!

Dan, I'm not sure I tell you enough that you are truly wonderful. You are such a generous, thoughtful, and caring man. Yours, Georgina

So will you be avoiding this discussion FOREVER DAN?! Do you have no regard for what is most certainly the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF OUR LIVES?!

Dan, just give it to me straight. Are you TRYING TO FUCK WITH ME or are you trying to fuck WITH me? Make up your fucking mind.

Just wanted to email and say I hope you are having a wonderful day. Yours, Georgina.

I am thinking about sending her an anonymous email with a few links to local psychiatrists as I climb in the cab. My mom's psychiatrist did quite a wonder on her post-divorce. Seriously, without the Xanax my mom is intolerable. I really am improving Dan's life. Soon enough he won't have a psychotic fiance, he will just have a well-balanced fiance who doesn't send him scathing emails and CC his PA on them. I smile at the thought and then open up the Notes app and add "Find out how to send anonymous emails."

The cab comes to a stop at a light and I spot Dan walking on foot. His collar has gone astray and is poking up on one side. I whip out the phone and text:

Didn't know you were cool enough for popping your collar.

I see him frown in confusion and then glance down at his collar. Still wearing a dazed expression, he presses it back down. He then looks around a bit.

In a cab to your left.

He spots my cab and sees me, flashing a wide smile. There's something about his smile, it lights up his whole face. The way it's sort of goofy is actually kind of charming. It's rather… heart-stopping. Only of course if your heart was on the market for being stopped. I smile back and give him a tiny wave as the cab pulls away.