You Know You Love Me Read Free Page B

juice. They would cheat on their Latin tests
     like they always didamo, amas, amat was still tattooed on the inside of Serenas elbow in
     permanent marker (thank God for three-quarter length sleeves!). Theyd drive around Serenas
     parents estate in Ridgefield, Connecticut, in the caretakers old Buick station wagon,
     singing the stupid hymns they sang in school and acting like crazy old ladies. Theyd pee
     in the downstairs entrances to their classmates brownstones and then ring the doorbells
     and run away. Theyd take Blairs little brother, Tyler, to the Lower East Side and leave
     him there to see how long it took for him to find his way homea work of charity, really,
     since Tyler was now the most street-wise boy at St. Georges. Theyd go out dancing with a
     huge group and lose ten pounds just from sweating in their leather pants. As if they
     needed to lose the weight.
    They would go back to being their regular old fabulous selves, just like always. Serena
     couldnt wait. Got you a drink, Chuck Bass said, elbowing the clusters of parents out of
     the way and handing Serena a tumbler of whiskey. Welcome back, he added, ducking down to
     kiss Serenas cheek and missing it intentionally, so that his lips landed on her mouth.
    You havent changed, Serena said, accepting the drink. She took a long sip. So, did you
     miss me? Miss you? The question is, did you miss me? Chuck said. Come on, babe, spill.
     What are you doing back here? What happened? Do you have a boyfriend?
    Oh, come on, Chuck, Serena said, squeezing his hand. You know I came back because I want
     you so badly. Ive always wanted you.
    Chuck took a step back and cleared his throat, his face flushed. Shed caught him off
     guard, a rare feat. Well, Im all booked up for this month, but I can put you on the
     waiting list, Chuck said huffily, trying to regain his composure. But Serena was barely
     listening to him anymore. Her dark blue eyes scanned the room, looking for the two people
     she wanted to see most, Blair and Nate.
    Finally Serena found them. Nate was standing by the doorway to the hall, and Blair was
     standing just behind him, her head bowed, fiddling with the buttons on her black cardigan.
     Nate was looking directly at Serena, and when her gaze met his, he bit his bottom lip the
     way he always did when he was embarrassed. And then he smiled.
    That smile. Those eyes. That face. Come here, Serena mouthed at him, waving her hand. Her
     heart sped up as Nate began walking toward her. He looked better than she remembered, much
     better. Nates heart was beating even faster than hers. Hey, you, Serena breathed when Nate
     hugged her. He smelled just like he always smelled. Like the cleanest, most delicious boy
     alive. Tears came to Serenas eyes and she pressed her face into Nates chest. Now she was
     really home. Nates cheeks turned pink. Calm down, he told himself. But he couldnt calm
     down. He felt like picking her up and twirling her around and kissing her face over and
     over. I love you! he wanted to shout, but he didnt. He couldnt. Nate was the only son of a
     navy captain and a French society hostess. His father was a master sailor and extremely
     handsome, but a little lacking in the hugs department. His mother was the complete
     opposite, always fawning over Nate and prone to emotional fits during which she would lock
     herself in her bedroom with a bottle of champagne and call her sister on her yacht in
     Monaco. Poor Nate was always on the verge of saying how he really felt, but he didnt want
     to make a scene or say something he might regret later. Instead, he kept quiet and let
     other people steer the boat, while he laid back and enjoyed the steady rocking of the
     waves. He might look like a stud, but he was actually pretty weak. So, what have you been
     up to? Nate asked Serena, trying to breathe normally. We missed you. Notice that he wasnt
     even brave enough to say, I missed you? What have I been up