Thank you for all the reviews on the last chapter, it meant so much that you all stuck out the hiatus! For now, I'm sticking with Blair POV mostly because it's the only way the plot I have planned will work. But maybe for the epilogue, I'll do a Dan POV. Or my next story will be because you all are right, we need more of his perspective in my fics! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback, I always like hearing what you guys think!

Georgina and I stand off to the side, observing the infiltrating crowd of upper-class New Yorkers, all here in honor of Nelly Yuki. Of course, her engagement party would be in the dullest of dull hotel ballrooms, lit by crystal chandeliers and filled with the sounds of violins. The only non-classy part of this whole affair happens to be standing next to me.

Georgina grabs another handful of potstickers off the tray being proffered by the tuxedo-clad servers and groans. "Why are we here again?" She says through bites.

"Not so you can make up for all those calories you missed while on that cleanse." I give her mouthful a disapproving glance. "We had to come. Nelly's an integral part of the company, it's only professional that we make our appearances at her engagement party."

"How aren't you sick of this shit?" Georgina washes down her food with a big swig of champagne and glares at another middle-aged woman who passed by with a reproachful glare leveled straight at her. "And why aren't you complaining?" She suddenly looks at me with suspicion. "Wait… Something's off. You were dreading this and we were both brainstorming excuses to skip it when we got the invite a couple of months ago. What's changed? Why aren't you near vomiting with me? B, we hate happy couples in love and all functions that revolve around them. Have you forgotten?"

I laugh, rolling my eyes. "You hate happy couples in love, I just put up with all your whining about it."

"Uh no, I'm sure I could pull up some texts right now from you bitching about Nate and Serena." Georgina wipes her greasy hands on a nearby cocktail napkin, crumpling it and discarding it back on the table immediately after. She starts scrolling through her texts and I can tell she's really digging because she's frowning in concentration. "What the fuck?"

"What?" I ask idly, watching as Nelly adjusts her glasses for the twentieth time from across the room.

"Oh my god," She starts scrutinizing me. "There really is something wrong with you. Your last rant about Nate and Serena was over three weeks ago. Who are you and what the hell have you done with Blair Waldorf? In fact," She rounds on me. "You haven't even looked over at Nate once since he walked in. Where is that lovelorn expression I abhor so much?"

"Chill, G. What pills did you take tonight?" I shift my eyes at her bewildered expression. "I think it's time for a downer, clearly you've taken way too many uppers."

My eyes catch a figure moving towards us and I see it's Nate, sans Serena as she was not invited on the strict guest list that only Nelly Yuki would be so uptight about. "Hi, Blair." His eyes shine brightly, "You look beautiful. By the way," He leans in to whisper. "What did I get Nelly?"

"Thanks," I say with a pleased smile and lower my voice too. "And you got her the bottle of Moet and engraved crystal champagne glasses. Don't worry, I had Dorota do a really shitty job of wrapping it."

"Is that possible?" Nate gives me a wry look. "She's like Martha Stewart levels of wrapping skills."

"I think she just had Vanya wrap it," I shrug with a smile.

"Hello, Nate," Georgina pipes up sardonically from beside us.

"Oh Georgina," Nate flashes his white teeth at her. "I didn't see you there. How are you this evening?"

"The usual… Just counting down the minutes until it's socially acceptable to leave." Her tone is laced with saccharine notes that contradict her cynical words.

Nate chuckles, amused by her joke and pats us both on the shoulders. "Well, I better go wish the bride-to-be congratulations. Thank you again, Blair."

Once he's gone, Georgina suddenly snatches my phone from where it had been resting in my hand. "What are you doing?" I swipe for it.

"Hah!" She holds it up triumphantly. "I knew it! You aren't fawning over Nate anymore because you're too busy flirting with Dan Humphrey! You not passing out when he said you looked beautiful was a dead giveaway."

I feel my cheeks heat as I pull the phone from her grasp with all the ferocity of a lion who's just had her cub taken from her. "That is an invasion of my privacy! I could report you to HR."

Georgina cracks up at that. "Out of all the things you'd report me to HR for it'd be that? Besides, we aren't at work right now so I don't think you can. Look, you can't even deny it."

"Dan is just a colleague," I repeat for the millionth time. "You know I'm helping him with his article."

"Helping him in more ways than just that I'd say." Georgina raises an eyebrow. Then she looks upward, as though trying to recall."'If I were to be in say, Brooklyn, on a Saturday night what should I do?'" She quotes from memory, clearly.

I feel my cheeks burn even hotter. "That was just a friendly text. They're all just texts between friends."

"Funny," Georgina cocks her head at me. "I don't recall you ever sending me a winky face."

"It wasn't li- It was ironic, okay?" I huff in annoyance, out of excuses.

Georgina smirks. "On one hand I'm relieved I don't have to keep a bottle of Pepto-Bismol at my desk anymore to quell the nausea induced by your unrequited love speeches about Nate. But on the otherhand, I now get to hear all your delusions about not liking Dan Humphrey. Denial doesn't suit you, Blair."

"Oh, look," I stick my empty champagne flute down on the nearest surface, not even caring if it landed on a table or on the ground. "Nelly's waving me over, I better go say hello."

"Ignorance is not bliss, Blair!" Georgina calls after me and I very blissfully ignore her.

It's 11 PM that same night and I find myself hyper-aware of everything that's transpired between Dan and I since the night I met him. I'm currently laying in bed, scrolling through our texts trying to read the subtext. Georgina has successfully planted a seed of doubt in my head that we are not just colleagues nor friends, and that something more might be at play here.

Since the night when he took me to the speakeasy, we've gone to a foreign film showing, to another cake tasting with Nate and Serena, and to Crate and Barrel to register them for a bunch of tableware they don't actually need.

But that was all related to his article, right?

Okay, maybe not the movie, I must admit. But he didn't do any of the classic date moves like put his arm around me or turn to me halfway through to makeout. Although the former move might have expired around the time he graduated from high school. But still…

There's nothing more, is there?

I shut my phone off and slide my eyemask over my face, blocking out all the swirling thoughts of the status quo of my dynamic with Dan.

It can wait.

"So," Serena swirls her mimosa. "How was the party I wasn't invited to?"

"Dull," I reply automatically. "Don't worry, you did not miss out."

"Nate said that too but I think you two are just trying not to make me feel bad." She looks wary. "You did get home late."

"I had to get Georgina a cab home and make sure she got into her apartment okay. You know her, open bar and she's headed straight for Lohan territory." I spoon some fruit onto my plate.

"Well, what about tonight? Any fun plans? If not, you and Georgina should come with Nate and I to this new sushi place in the Flatiron."

"I think we'll pass on fourth wheeling." I laugh. "But, I have plans anyways tonight." I try to sound nonchalant.

"Oh really, mysterious plans again..." Her eyes widen. "With who?"

"Dan," I stare down at my plate. "We're going to Veselka, he's never been. I'll spend the whole time talking about you and Nate and your fairytale romance, don't worry."

Serena looks at me quizzically and my stomach churns. I know that look, it's the same one Georgina had. "Didn't you just have a meeting with him about the article? On Wednesday? Blair, Nate and I have only known each other for less than two months, there can't be that much to tell. Unless you're seeing him for other reasons?" She arches a blonde brow.

"I thought you'd be thrilled," I say a little passive-aggressively. "You were the one wanted me helping him with it."

"B, I am. But you're my best friend. You should be able to tell me anything. Like if maybe you like Dan?" Serena eyes me.

"No, I don't." I rise suddenly and push my plate away. "I'm not hungry."

Serena sighs, looking confused. "Okay, I'm sorry I pushed it. Let's talk about something else. You still haven't told me how Harold and Roman are," She tugs me back down the table and I relent. "Tell me all about their glamorous chateau life."

So I do.

Later, that night just as I'm headed for my closet to change for dinner with Dan I spot something on the bed. It's a burgundy A.L.C. dress with a note on it.

For your non-date date

Xoxo S

I look at it and am about to toss it aside when I decide to try it on, just out of curiosity. The warm tone complements my olive skin and the silhouette is so perfect, that I can't help but wear it. I pull out my phone to text:

Thank you xxx

Dan is waiting patiently just outside the restaurant as I walk up to Veselka at 5 PM. His formerly expressionless face breaks into a smile at the sight of me and I feel an electrical charge to my heart.

"Hey," He holds open the door for me, guiding us in. "Now, Waldorf, I feel it's only fair to warn you that I am picky about my pierogies and you're unlikely to convert me."

"Oh," I scoff. "You'll be eating your words momentarily. Trust me."

We walk up to the counter and I'm greeted by familiar faces as we order. I take over and lead Dan over to my favorite table smack down in the center of the restaurant.

"I've been eager to hear," Dan says once we're seated. "Did you get roped into being a bridesmaid when you went to that engagement party the other night?"

"No," I shake my head. "Nelly Yuki totally secretly hates me. But someone else did get roped into being a bridesmaid," I continue when Dan raises his eyebrows. "Georgina. Serena asked her because she doesn't 'have that many girlfriends.'"

"Really?" Dan winces. "Isn't Georgina being a bridesmaid a recipe for disaster? I thought you said she puked on the groom's shoes at the last wedding she was in."

"Oh, it's definitely going to end catastrophically. She already said she was going to bleach her bridesmaid dress so it's white."

"I'm sure Serena will like that," Dan replies sarcastically.

"I think your article is going to be better suited for Page Six than the Weddings column," I laugh.

At my joke, Dan's face creases momentarily and I'm confused by his reaction. "Right, the article…" His gaze shifts off but by the time he looks back to me, the momentary sadness I saw is gone. I must have imagined it, I decide by the time our food arrives.

By his second pierogi, Dan concedes. "Okay, you've officially converted me. These are, indeed, the best pierogies in all of New York."

"I told you!" I beam, satisfied at being right. "You might as well just move out of Brooklyn, Humphrey."

"Okay," Dan holds up a hand. "Now that's being a bit impulsive. You still can't deny we have the best coffee."

"The hipsters flooding the cafes negate the coffee quality for me so it's a wash." I say.

"Okay well, what about the flea markets? You know admitted you can't score antiques anywhere else with as high of value." Dan counters.

"True," I tilt my head. "But what about the museums in the city? You can't beat Manhattan for art."

"But the galleries in Brooklyn house more local artists showing more unique talents."

"Ugh, fine, Dan." I reach for another pierogi. "We'll agree to disagree."

"Or we can just agree to continue this debate with one another showing the other just how much better their preferred city is." Dan suggests. "I do have an independent theater in mind I've been meaning to show you."

"Deal," I hold out my hand. "Just wait until I take you to the gelato shop I found the other day in Little Italy."

"You're on Waldorf."

"Hope you like losing, Humphrey." I reply in unison. Our eyes meet and they're both sparking with something a lot like enchantment.

"Tomorrow then?" Dan asks. "We can do yours."

I shake my head, "We'll do yours, we just did mine. Besides, I'll let you enjoy a brief moment of triumph before I win."

"Tell me again how you're so beloved that you've been in over 20 weddings?" Dan asks playfully. "Because I cannot fathom how all 20 of those brides have endured a friendship with you."

"I'm charming, Humphrey, don't even try to deny it." I stick my hand up to hail a cab. "See you tomorrow. Better practice your graceful loser face in the mirror tonight."

"It'll be you doing the losing," Dan counters and tips his head to mine. "Goodnight, Blair."

The theater is dimly lit and has old-fashioned plush red seats. We take our seats beside each other and wait for the screen to click on.

It's the second time I've been to the movies with Dan. But this time, I'm uneasy. Thanks to Georgina and Serena's prodding, I feel self-conscious here with Dan. I keep finding myself looking out of the corner of my eye at him. As though magically a thought bubble will appear above his head indicating whether this is a platonic or romantic affair. None appears and I force myself to lean back in my chair.

I feel Dan lean in and a flicker of excitement at his nearness take hold. His hushed tone is nearly pressed up against my ear. "It seems it's just us. I can't help but be disappointed. I was hoping to have an audience when you admitted defeat."

I prickle all over and scooch just a little away. "That's because there won't be any loss on my part for anyone to observe. Now, quiet. The previews are starting."

I don't even like the previews but it forces him to settle back into his own chair, far enough away that I can breathe again.

Fucking Georgina. And Serena.

I was a functioning adult a day ago, now I can't even have a normal social interaction thanks to them.

I shut my eyes momentarily and when I open them again, my focus is laser sharp on the movie and not on the person beside me.

It's two and a half hours later and Dan and I are having a lively dispute.

"I am not taking the subway. I refuse." I cross my arms over my chest, rooting my feet into the ground. "There are mole men."

Dan laughs, "I promise, the mole men won't harm you." He teases.

"Why wouldn't we just take a cab?" I counter, releasing my arms.

"Because we'll be sitting in traffic all the way to Manhattan." Dan threads a hand over my arm, gently and pulls me toward the subway entrance.

I huff and follow while shaking away his grip which has somehow caused a million goosebumps to appear across my arms. "Fine, but know that you're basically forfeiting by forcing me on here."

Dan shrugs as he swipes his subway card through the machine. "Getting you on a subway is enough victory for me. I seriously can't believe you've lived in Manhattan your whole life and never been on it once."

"Mole men, Humphrey." I repeat, reluctantly following him onto the platform.

Shockingly, I survive the subway ride. Even though it questionably paused for a whole ten minutes in the middle of the journey toward Little Italy. I nearly went into a state of panic until Dan finally succeeded in reassuring me that it was completely normal.

I stick my spoon into my lemon lavender gelato, relishing the warmth from the low setting sun on my face. The dark subway tunnels really don't suit my complexion.

Dan pulls out a bistro chair for me to sit on and slides into the seat across from me. I smirk, "Ready to admit defeat yet?" I look pointedly at his almost half empty cup of hazelnut gelato.

"You did endure the subway just for me, so yes." Dan says with no trace of sarcasm.

My stomach somersaults at his word choice but I brush the feeling aside. "Never again."

"But the theater?" Dan asks with a hopeful expression.

"Yes, that I will return to." I smile brightly.

Our gelato is empty by the time the sun has fully set and we stand a little hesitantly on the sidewalk once the ice cream cups have been discarded. "Now what?" I ask.

"I'll walk you home." Dan replies. "I think you've endured enough interaction with 'middle-class professionals' for one day."

As we walk, the sky falling to dusk behind us, I find myself looking at him sideways, uncertain. "So, we haven't really talked about the article lately," I say a little apprehensively. "I mean, is that still the reason why we are spending time together?"

I feel a tightness in my chest form as I wait for his reply. In my nervousness, I return my gaze to the sidewalk.

"I don't think it is anymore." There's a lull in his reply. "That's okay, right?" His brown eyes turn inquisitive.

I turn to face him as we both pause in the middle of the sidewalk. His eyes are still fixed on mine. I should nod. All he's asking for is a yes or a no. A simple answer.

But instead, I lean in closing the distance between us and answering his question with something I don't think he was expecting. Something I wasn't even expecting to do.

A kiss.

I should have done it a long time ago.

TBC...

Hope you all liked that last scene :) I'm hoping to update again by next Monday! Also, the next chapter will have more Serena and Nate scenes in it.

Thank you for reading!

PS Made an aesthetic for this story that you can see on Tumblr (thedairarchives) or on AO3 (same username as here.)