I can not thank you all enough for your support. I never thought I would complete one yet write a third book. It thrills me that so many of you have fallen in love with Ella. She is truly the first character that I have loved writing. I know I left you all on a cliffhanger at the end of Sincerity, no worries you will be informed what happened and will happen to Ella and Nate.
__________________________________
Nate's POV
"You must be really hurting."
"How can you tell?"
"You're not drinking. I always know it's serious when even you know you can't dual the pain."
"I'm not right for her. We bring out the dark side of each other. When she's with Louis she shines. That's the Blair I love. She needs to be with him to be it, then that's the way it should be."
"Well, look at that. Chuck Bass, maturing."
"And what about you? You finally had the balls to show my sister how you really feel and what?" I rake my fingers through my hair.
"I don't know man, I told her I love her and kissed her. She kissed me back and nothing. I've heard nothing from her."
"You've made her question herself Nathanial. She thought she knew who she was and what she wanted. You confessing your love for after a near-death experience changed her."
"Has she said anything to you?"
"Just that she headed off for work early and she'll call me once a week to let me know she's okay."
"So, nothing. I confessed my love for her and she says nothing."
"Sad but true, I'm afraid." We head over to the bar.
"I had Victor pick this up being at St. Jude's reminded me of all the lost weekends we used to have. So, why not graduate to a lost summer?"
"I'm intrigued."
"Just spin the globe and pick a point. We can start there and make our way back here, like old times. Bachelors who don't have to answer to anybody."
"You're a good friend. I will use this summer to get over Blair, and you will use it to get over my sister, which by the way will be harder said than done."
"Just spin the globe, Chuck." He spins and I approve his choice of destination. I know no matter how much I distract myself this summer that kiss with Ella will haunt me until I see her again. She is the one person who has changed me for the better and I've never felt this kind of love before. This time it feels real and nothing else can compare to it.
__________________________________
Serena's POV
"How did you guys end up here and whose boat is this?"
"This is Allegra Versace's, Chuck won it in a poker game in Chiang Mai. he won Allegra, too, but uh that's another story."
"Wow, so he's okay then?"
"Ask him yourself."
"Serena." I hug Chuck and he seems happy for the first time in forever.
"Usually when you smile like this, you look like a creepy Cheshire cat, but this one is real. What is your secret? And it it's legal, I want some."
"It's not a substance. It's state of mind. A word."
"Well, let me guess. A dirty word."
"Yes." Chuck smiles even bigger.
"Ues, it's a dirty word?"
"The word is yes. I say it at anything. If an opportunity presents itself, I take it. There's nothing I won't try once, even happiness."
"He's very inspiring. I've been saying all summer he should run an infomercial."
"You mock, but if someone gave me the opportunity, I'd say"
"Yes, yeah I think I got it."
"I don't think you do. See, you've been working all summer in your little assistant's job, driving a cart, getting coffee, sorting things. Isn't there something more you want out of it?"
"Like you saying yes to Ella asking you model in one of her friend's fashion show." Nate interjects and can't stop laughing.
"You modeled this summer? For who?"
"My sister asked for a favor. Her friend wanted none models to walk his show and I agreed. And I damn well rocked that runway. Even got a magazine cover with my sister. The Bass siblings taking over the world is the title of the magazine."
"That's awesome Chuck, and speaking of Ella she's going to stop by with Val later today to visit if you two wanted to see her."
"She's still with Val?" Nate asks all surprised.
"Um, yeah. Why wouldn't she?"
"Um, no reason." Nate takes a big sip of his drink.
"So, um my producer Jane, who I really admire, asked me my thoughts on a scene. And I was really excited to write something up, but then Marshall, who's technically my supervisor, got wind of it and, uh he wasn't a huge fan of the idea."
"So what you never did it?"
"Well, no, I placated Marshall, so now Jane probably thinks I'm a flake."
"There's still time. Go say the "yes" you never said."
"You know what? You are actually right. And even if you are completely delusional, if it makes you look this good, I will find Jane tomorrow, Marshall is damned. Who wants to go with me to make sure I actually go through with it? I know what you're gonna say."
__________________________________
Ella's POV
"I dind't know Serena wanted to work in the entertainment industry?" Val holds my hand as Arthur drives us to the studio lot where Serena is working.
"The opportunity was sprung on her and she took it. I think it's good for her. From what she has told me she has been asked her opinion on certain parts of the book by the producer."
"That's wonderful and I'm so thankful that you took the summer off and did a majority of your work in L.A. I've loved having you here with me." I kiss Val as we arrive at the lot.
"Spending the summer with you in L.A. has been a dream come true. I've gotten to work with designers I've never worked before. I spent time with your family and you. I got to see Serena when we weren't' busy and I've loved every moment of it."
"As I love you." Arthur opens the door and we head to the designated area where they're shooting the movie. I spot Serena's blonde locks from a mile away.
"Serena."
"Ella. Val. I'm so glad you're here." I hug Serena, it's been a few weeks since we've last seen each other. We've both been so busy with work and life to meet up.
"I'm so glad you finally made it out."
"Of course, I wanted to see where you've been spending all your summer."
"As you can see the magic of movie business if very real. Actually, Chuck and Nate are around here somewhere."
"Nate and Chuck are here?" I ask surprised. Chuck never mentioned to me that he was coming to L.A. I know he's been cruising around the world with Nate.
"Yeah, your brother is on this new journey where he says yes to everything."
"Ah, yep that's why he agreed to model in my friend's fashion show. Okay, so where is Mr. Yes man now?"
"He's off learning a stunt."
"A stunt?" Val and I say together.
"Yeah, he met the stunt coordinator and well they just hit it off."
"Never saw Chuck as a stunt a man."
"I know, hey if you and Val aren't doing anything there's a party for the movie that Nate and I will be attending later if you two wanted to come."
"A Hollywood party with movie stars. S, we would love to come."
"Perfect." Serena scribbles something down on a piece of paper and hands it over to me. "Here's the address, there will be food and drinks. So, come happy and ready to have a great time."
"See you there S."
__________________________________
The house was one of the biggest houses I've ever seen. It was filled with more people than I've ever seen at a house party. "Wow, people in L.A. know how to throw a party." I gush as I grip Val's hand as he leads us through the crowd. Val sees some people he knows and tells me he'll find me in a bit. I find Serena and Nate.
"E, I'm so glad you could make it."
"Were you able to get the things off your list done?"
"With Nate's help, I was able to get all of it completed. Now before I introduce you to people I need to find my boss." We weave through the crowd of people and eventually find Serena's boss.
"Here you go." She hands over the list.
"Oh, you can't possibly..."
"Have finished? She did." Nate interjects. I can already see why Serena dislikes this guy so much.
"Everything?"
"Well, technically, there's still one thing left. have you seen Patrick?"
"Yeah, outside by the pool." I start to head outside but Serena's boss stops me.
"Ella Bass!" I turn around to see a guy with brown hair and cheap suit stands to greet me.
"Hello."
"Sorry, I'm Marshall. I've admired your work for some time. Are you wanting a job in a movie, because we can always use a model to play..."
"To play a model." I interrupt.
"Yeah, would you be interested."
"Tell, Marshall, what would this model be doing and wearing?" He thinks he has me, but I haven't worked this hard to be taken seriously now to dumb myself down to play some dumb model role.
"You would look beautiful of course."
"Well, of course, and what else."
"Um, you would be on the arm of the leading man..." I hold my hand up.
"Let me stop you right there Marshall. Let me tell you how this goes. I'm not receiving an Ivy League education because I want a pretty trophy for a man to showcase to his friends. If that's what I wanted I would have taken my trust fund and done just that. But no, like you say you're a fan of my work then you should know I'm too smart to fall for your lame excuse for a pitch." I leave him standing there with his mouth hanging open.
__________________________________
"Nice work E, we've been wanting to tell him off since we met him earlier," Nate states as he comes to our side and directs me to where Serena is.
"Well, a dick is a dick no matter where you are. So, how was your summer?" Nate looks awkward as he stares at me and I know it's because after our kiss I basically left him without an explanation. I did, however, make things sort of okay between us when Chuck modeled for my friend. I got to speak with Nate alone and explain that the kiss was a surprise to me and the feeling of almost being killed messed with my moral thinking. It's not what Nate wanted to hear, but I can't justify kissing another man when I'm in love with Val. Nate spilled all of his feelings to me and even informed me he's wanted to kiss me since Junior year at Constance at the masquerade ball.
After that night We tried to talk about it, but every time I was close to sharing I closed up and ended having a huge fight with Nate. We've gotten past the fighting phase by not mentioning the kiss and the four big words until we're able to discuss naturally what happened.
"Um, I spent the whole time trying to get over you."
"And how did that work?"
"It was terrible, but nothing can..."
"Nate, hey man good to see you." Nate and Val bro hug and our conversation drops. "Serena mentioned that you and Chuck were here."
"Um, yeah Chuck and I just came back to the states."
"We missed you this summer at Bastille Day." Nate's jaw clenches.
"You guys went to Bastille Day?"
"Yeah, Val's family came to one of my shows and we celebrated the Bastille Day together."
"Have you ever gone?" Val asks Nate.
"Yeah, man I went two summers ago." Nate looks at me and I stare him down. Now is not the time or place to bring up his feelings for me and the kiss in front of Val at Serena's work party.
"We should plan to go with each other next summer, I know Ella had a wonderful time."
"Did she now."
"Hey, Val good to see you." Serena greets us.
"I was telling Nate that this is his chance to be whoever he wants to be."
"Are you pimping Nate out to the California girls?" I ask Serena.
"No, but I'm not objecting to it. He's spent this whole summer getting over Raina and Juliet. He needs some fun in his life."
"Raina and Juliet?" Val asks.
"Yeah, Nate was dating this manipulative girl who was out to get me named Juliet and then he dated Raina who first was dating Chuck and she's the daughter of the guy who tried to burn Ella and Blair in a building." Val can sense I'm uncomfortable bringing up that night. I barely told him anything about it besides Russel kidnapping Blair and I and want to have a gas explosion take us out along with Chuck to get back at Bart. I didn't share how I felt about that night, because talking about it means I would have to discuss my kiss with Nate. I know I need to tell him, but everything that happened that night made me realize I don't know who I am or what I want and that terrifies me.
"Um, thanks for the recap S." Serena senses the awkwardness.
"So, who do you wanna be?" Serena directs her question to Nate.
"I'm pretty sure that's not how it works. All right?"
"Oh, my god. Are you that guy that guy from that movie?" A bunch of horny girls gushes over Nate. It's almost comical how they are head over heels for him and he's not even who they think he is.
"Yes." Nate answers confidently.
"I love that guy can we have your autograph? OMG, you're Ella Bass! Are you and he dating? Or better yet are you doing a movie together?" Nate looks to me and in that moment I know what I have to do.
"Ladies he's all yours. Have fun." Nate looks at me with wide eyes. I know he would rather me fight for him, but to be fair I can't decide if my need to kiss him was because of the stress of almost being killed or do I really have feelings for my best friend. And if so what am I doing with Val. How do I decide who I love more. I know no matter my choice I'm going to hurt someone despite my best efforts not to.
Thank you for all your support and encouragement. I'm so happy you all have stayed with me this long to now see how Ella's story ends. No worries Ella and Nate are not done for yet.