"Don't you clean up nice," Dan said, looking up at Blair as she descended her staircase. "I would never have thought you were from Brooklyn of all places."

Blair rolled her eyes, picking up her draping skirt as she descended, and met him at the bottom. "Ha ha, Humphrey, very funny and clever."

"I've heard that I'm both of those things regularly," he nodded. "It must have gone to my head. Dan Humphrey, funny and clever. I put it on all my business cards. Small business owner, moonlights as a comedian."

"You're just so adorable," she said, scrunching up her face. "Remind me why I allow you to date me?" She leaned into him and kissed him. "You, however, clean up awfully. What is this suit? Who picked it out? Whoever helped you must have horrible taste."

"She does," he agreed, "but she's pretty great in bed."

"How crude," Blair said, laughing as he leaned in to kiss her again. "You do look pretty great, Humphrey. You should wear a suit more often." She brushed at his shoulder and looped her arm through his. "Are you ready?"

Dan looked at her, "Are you sure you want me to accompany you? You could go to the gala and I could meet you afterwards." He tugged nervously on his sleeve and Blair playfully slapped at his hand. "This isn't my scene, Blair. I think the closest I've come to this Upper East Side balls and galas in the seven years since dating Serena was at her and Nate's wedding."

"And I heard you killed it there," she said, patting him lightly on the arm. "You'll be fine and you certainly look fine, so don't worry. Also, you have the best date there can be."

"You are pretty great," he agreed, holding her apartment door open for her and then stepping slightly ahead of her after to get the car door for her. "I just don't know what to say to half the people that go to these things."

"So talk to the other half or just introduce yourself. Hi, I'm Dan Humphrey. See, easy? Do you want me to go through some introductions saying that first so you get used to it?" she teased as she slid into the car. "Plus, Nate and Serena will be there. Serena's birthday is coming up around the corner so she's going to want to talk about that. I think they want to go to the Hampton's to combine Fourth of July and her birthday."

Dan nodded, "Nate mentioned that a couple of weeks ago."

Blair reached over and squeezed his hand, "It's going to be fine. Who cares what the old ladies that decorate UES society have to say about you? I like you and that's all that matters."

She slid over on the seat next to him and rested her head, lightly as to not mess up her hair, on his shoulder. They had spent the last few months of their relationship hanging out mostly together or with Serena and Nate and so this was one of their first big events as a couple. Lilly Van Der Woodsen was on the board of the charity that it was for and Blair would have never heard the end of it from her, Serena or her own mother if she didn't attend.

"Hey," she said softly, running her thumb on the back of his hand, "if you really don't want to go, I'm not going to force you. You look extremely sexy in that suit though so it would be a complete waste of Hugo Boss but I'm sure we can find a use for it."

Dan kissed her forehead, "No, it's fine." Blair felt his shoulders rise as he took a deep breath in. She knew he hadn't had the easiest time when they were younger assimilating in to the culture of the Upper East Side, partly because of her, but it was different now. They were older, for one, and more mature and, at least for her, looked to other's for approval much less. "Blair," he started, as the car came to a stop outside of the venue where the gala was being held, an old theater that was currently being restored, "I love you."

Blair would swear later that her heart stopped for a second before he squeezed her hand, "Yeah, we should probably go in." She pointed out of the door, feeling small sweat beads line her forehead. She wasn't ready for that. Not there, not at that time, not tonight.

Dan nodded, not lingering on the subject, and helped her out of the car. Flashes went on around them. Page Six loved a good socialite night to pepper pages with and Blair put on a tense smile as she felt Dan's hand on her lower back, gently guiding her through the crowd and up the stairs. Before they went in, he pulled her lightly to the side of the staircase. "Hey, I don't want it to be weird. You don't have to say it to me, but I've-"

"Hey guys," Blair heard the cheery voice of Serena behind them.

Fantastic timing.

Blair grabbed Serena's hand and started pulling her into the crowd. She could hear Dan calling her name behind her and she glanced behind her to see him and Nate standing with their hands in their pockets with Dan looking very confused. "I'll find you," she called back to Dan and she could see him exchange a look with Nate. She could feel herself freaking out internally.

Serena started to pull against Blair's hand until they came to a stop in the middle of a crowd, "What is going on, Blair? You didn't even let me say hi to Dan back there."

"He said it, Serena."

"What? Were you guys in a fight? He did look really concerned when Nate and I walked up. Said what?" she furrowed her brows. "Was he breaking up with you? Tonight? I'll kill him."

"No," Blair shook her head, "the other thing."

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Blair."

"The L word. He said it in the car."

"So?" Serena asked. "I'm so confused. You guys haven't said it yet?"

Blair shook her head, "No! Well, he might have when he was drunk a couple of weeks ago but I just figured it was the liquor talking and I'm not ready for it."

Serena patted Blair on the shoulder, "You make mountains out of mole hills more than anyone else I know."

"It's a mountain, Serena. A very large mountain. I don't want him to think I don't just because I didn't say it but also I'm not sure if I'm there yet and-"

"Ladies," Lilly said, coming between both of them. She leaned in to give Blair a kiss on both cheeks before giving a hug to Serena. "I'm so glad you could come, Blair. Where's Dan? Serena told me you two were seeing each other and that he would be here. I haven't seen him in years despite trying to get him to my place for the holidays every year."

Blair nodded, "He's over there somewhere. He got distracted."

"Dan told her he loved her and she didn't say it back," Serena said, filing in the blanks for her mom.

"Serena," Blair complained. "Don't say it that loudly!"

"And then she dragged me away and poor Dan is stuck with my husband." Serena leaned on her toes to try and look over the crowd, "They're actually coming our way with drinks."

Blair bit the inner part of her lip as she saw Nate and Dan's faces through the crowd. She tried to steady her breath as they came closer and would have dashed into the crowd if it was not for Lilly placing her hand on Blair's shoulder strategically at the same time that Blair was looking for an exit strategy. Dan extended his hand to her, giving her both the flutes of champagne so that he could greet Lilly warmly. Blair tried to signal to Serena to follow her to the bathroom with her eyes but Serena was avoiding eye contact as best as she can. She did give Blair a couple of apologetic smiles as Dan and Lilly caught up.

"Well, I'm going to go," Lilly told them. "I'll let you young folks hang out. I have a lot of people to talk to tonight to try and raise some money to help with the restorations of this place. Isn't the art on the ceiling just beautiful?" Lilly looked up and the four of them followed suit. "We're trying to get the entire place repainted so it can start functioning as a theater again. I mean, we need a couple of other things like a new stage and seats… but baby steps. Blair, Dan… it was lovely to see the both of you. Please come over for Sunday brunch one of these days."

Lilly excused herself, disappearing into the crowd and Serena and Nate quickly followed suit, acting as though they had seen someone important that they had to introduce themselves to. It left Blair and Dan to stare awkwardly at the ground while Blair, mostly, tried to find ways to avoid her awkward response to those three words.

Dan finally broke the silence, "Blair, I'm going to go."

"We just got here," she quickly replied, bringing her eyes up from the floor to his. "Don't go."

"Then can you talk to me? I thought it was awkward thinking about meeting people I've probably met before when I was younger again and having to explain who I was and how no, I'm not from their neighborhood but this, I didn't expect this."

"I didn't expect that," Blair responded.

Dan glanced at the ceiling before looking back at her, stepping closer to her so they could have as private a conversation as they were going to get in a crowded place. "I didn't expect to say it right then. It just came out. I've wanted to say it for awhile, Blair. I do, love you I mean. And, as I was trying to say before Serena and Nate showed up, was that it's okay if you're not there yet or you don't want to say it if you are. It's okay."

Blair lowered her chin, "I'm not ready for it."

Dan nodded, "Okay." He looked around, "Come on. Drag me around and introduce me to everyone who is important. I need to show off my beautiful girlfriend and even more beautiful suit."

She laughed in response as he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Well, there's the governor's wife and over there is the mayor's wife. Lilly is really bringing in the big guns for this paint job. And… over there is one of my mother's friends who is another fashion designer and he is with his boyfriend who is a model. We should probably start with them and make our way to at least the mayor's wife. I have political aspirations to rule the world and maybe she could help."

"God help us all," he laughed as she took her hand and they started to make their way through the crowd together.