second chance。 I?m volunteering my services as your alumnus interviewer; and the admissions
office has already agreed to use my write…up when they review your application; instead of the
interview you did back in November。?
Blair was dumbstruck。 A second chance?it was almost too good to be true。 Tired of waiting;
Gianni dropped his scissors on the wheeled cart next to Blair?s chair; snatched the latest issue
ofVogue out of Blair?s lap; and minced away to plain about her to his colleagues。
?So when are you available?? Owen Wells persisted。
Now; Blair wanted to say。 But she couldn?t very well ask Owen to sit and watch Gianni cut her
hair while he asked her all those boring stereotypical interview questions like; Who are the most
influential people in your life?
?Anytime;? she chirped。 Then she realized she shouldn?t soundtoo desperate; not when she was
supposed to be a total whiz kid with an insane schedule。 ?Actually; today is kind of busy for me
and tomorrow might be a little crazy; too。 Wednesday or Thursday after school would be better。?
?I tend to work pretty late; and I?ve got meetings up the wazoo this week; but how about
Thursday night? Around eight…thirty??
?Fine;? Blair responded eagerly。 ?Do you want me to e to your office??
Owen paused。 Blair could hear his office chair creak and she imagined him surveying his
Philippe Starck?designed Tribeca office with its view of New York Harbor; wondering if it was an
appropriate place to meet。 She imagined him tall and blond; with a tennis tan; like her father。 But
Owen Wells would be at least ten years younger than her dad; and so much better looking。 She
wondered if he knew how cool it was that there was aw in each of his names。 ?Why don?t we
meet at the pton Hotel? They?ve got a nice little bar that should be pretty quiet。? He
laughed。 ?I can buy you a Coke; although your father tells me you prefer Dom Perignon。?
Blair?s face burned。 Her stupid…ass father?what else had he said? ?Oh; no; Coke is fine;? she
stammered。
?Good。 I?ll see you Thursday night。 I?ll be wearing my Yale tie。?
?I?m looking forward to it。? Blair tried to maintain a businesslike tone despite her vivid
Owen…at…the…office fantasy。 ?Thank you so much for calling。? She clicked off the phone and
looked directly into the gilt mirror in front of her。 Her blue eyes already seemed larger and more
intense now that she had less hair。
If she were really an actress starring in the movie of her life?which was what she always liked to
imagine?thiswould be the turning point: the day she transformed her look and began rehearsing for
the biggest role of her career。 She glanced at her watch。 There was only half an hour left before
she was due back at Constance for gym。 There was no reason to rush back; though; especially not
when Bendel?s was only three blocks away and a new dress for meeting Owen Wells on Thursday