Chapter 11: The Waldorf's Annual Brunch

The Waldorf's house was known for their annual brunch in the summer. Almost everyone important on the Upper East Side was invited. Blair was already sitting at her table with a small plate of food. There were so many things that were running in her mind. Serena had told her she was bringing Dan but she wondered if Nate was going to come. She hasn't spoken a word to Nate since they broke up. Chuck sat down next to her and looked at Blair. She hasn't touched her food yet. When she looked down, Chuck tapped on the table near her plate.

"Eat something" he said.

Blair nodded and placed a small cracker in her mouth. She looked over at the door and watched as each guest arrived. Around 11am, Serena arrived, holding hands with Dan.

"Hey B" she said as she hugged Blair.

"Serena" Blair said with a small smile.

"Thanks for letting me come" Dan said.

"Sorry, I don't think we've met. I'm Chuck Bass" Chuck said as held out his hand.

"Dan Humphrey" Dan said as he shook his hand.

Nate hasn't arrived yet but he wanted send him a text warning him about Serena's new boyfriend. Chuck said that he had an important phone call and left the room. They sat down at the table once Serena and Dan went and grab plates of food. Brunch at the Waldorf's last several hours and their parents got along just as well as they did. At the corner, Blair's and Serena's mother were chatting away while everyone else around them mingled. Serena noticed Blair was picking at her food and lightly touched her hand. Blair looked up and smiled at her.

"Sorry" she said.

"What's wrong B?" Serena asked. Blair never played with her food since her mother lectured how it wasn't very ladylike.

"Nothing" Bair said quietly as she watched the door.

"Are you sure it's nothing?"

Blair didn't say another word and kept her eyes at the door. It's been awhile since Chuck left the room to make a phone call. She wondered if it had something to do with his company or if there was an emergency at the Empire Hotel. When he came back to the room he was with Nate. Wrapped around his arms was a slender brunette girl. She had a heart shaped face and small features that made her stand out.

"Sorry I'm late" Nate said as he sat down.

Chuck sat next to Blair and looked over at her plate. Her plate was still hardly touched since he left to make a "phone call". He tried to shake the thought out of his head and decided that he shouldn't be noticing these things.

"This is Bree" Nate said as he introduced her to the rest of the group.

"It's nice to meet you all, Nate told me so much about you guys" she said with a wide smile.

Bree's presence bothered Serena but she tried to hide it. Serena just smiled like usual and introduced Dan to Nate.

"How did you two meet?" Nate asked as he put eggs in his mouth.

"At his book event" Serena said as she cut her ham.

"His book was just released and I helped organize it"

"She did a wonderful job at it" Dan said as he stared lovingly into Serena's eyes.

"What about you two?" Serena said as she glanced over at Bree.

"Nate stole my coffee by mistake" Bree said as she held his hand and looked over at him. Nate exchanged the same look and smiled.

"I'm glad I did" he said as he leaned in for a kiss.

Blair was saying her goodbyes with her mother. Each guest expressed how much they enjoyed the annual summer brunch. Her mother was delighted that everyone she invited in the Upper East Side could make it. Nate wanted to talk to Blair privately and waited for her mother to leave the room. Chuck, Serena, Dan and Bree were still in the patio enjoying the weather with sparkling cider in their hands.

"Hey Blair, can I talk to you a moment before we head back?" Nate asked.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Thanks for inviting me, I was really surprised to see the invite in my mailbox" Nate said as he leaned on the wall.

"Nate you may be my ex-boyfriend but we've all been childhood friends. I don't want to break our circle over something stupid. We've all fought in the past but we've always been able to make up" Blair said.

Nate laughed; it was true that they've always been friends even under weird circumstances. Their bond has survived much worse and it was no surprise they were able to make up.

"So is Bree really your girlfriend? Or are you trying to make Serena jealous?" Blair asked as she walked towards him.

"I'm surprised; I thought you would be happy for me"

"I am if you're happy"

"I am" Nate said with his perfect Archibald smile. His teeth were too perfect and too white sometimes.

"Then I'm happy for you, I hope she was a better girlfriend than I was" Blair said quietly.

"Blair, we weren't good for each other. You weren't a good girlfriend to me and I wasn't a good boyfriend to you. I'm sure you will be a perfect girlfriend for someone else. The only thing I regret is that we didn't end it sooner. I'm really sorry I cheated on you" Nate said as he held her hand.

"Thanks" she said.

Through the patio door Chuck could see Blair and Nate still talking. It made him uncomfortable that they were alone together and chatting away.

'There's no way they would have feelings for each other again' Chuck reminded himself.

'Oh god! Why do I even care?" He thought.

Chuck turned his attention towards Serena and Dan but he couldn't help but look over his shoulder again. There was something that was still bothering him still and he finally realized it. Nate was holding onto Blair's hand.