Rory hit the cold, brass knocker on the door to the wood-colored apartment door. She always thought knockers were so much fancier than doorbells. Knockers reminded her of Chilton. Chilton reminded her of high school. High school reminded her of Jess. Which was the exact reason she was here: she was reminded of Jess. Her messenger bag flung over her shoulder, her shoulder-length, curled hair pulled back into a clip. She looked under the door; the lights were on and she heard heavy footsteps walking towards it. She quickly straightened up and waited for it to open.
Jess opened the door and was momentarily speechless which he rarely was. What was Rory Gilmore doing at his apartment in New York City? He finally found words again and said, "Well, well, well, look at you." He grabbed her hands and held them out to the side as an aunt you hadn't seen in years would. He dropped her hands back at her side. "Hello. How are you?" He said. "Hi, Jess. I'm well, how are you?" Rory said breathlessly even though she had been standing outside his door for 3 minuets debating whether or not she ought to knock. "Well, actually." He responded.
Jess was wearing grey suit pants and a tight white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his tie hung loosely around his neck. His suit jacket had been thrown aimlessly and had landed haphazardly on the couch. His hair was the same as it was the last time she had seen him, the day she saw him at the publishing house. He still had his beard and she had to admit, he looked as sexy as hell. He had his hands in his pockets and was smirking at her, not believing what he was seeing.
Rory had been thinking of what she wanted to do next for a while. The Obama campaign trail was one of the best experiences of her life and he had won! After it was all over, she moved back to Stars Hallow and started working full time at the Hartford office of the online magazine from the campaign trail. She was close to her family, she was in Stars Hallow, and she was doing what she loved. After about a year and a half, she wanted more challenges, more excitement. After months upon months of thinking, Rory asked her boss if she could be transferred somewhere else. She was told that one of their New York City offices needed somebody and she would be perfect for it. Rory packed all of her things up and began working in New York at the end of February. In middle of March, she found herself thinking about Jess. After a quick call to Luke, she learned that he was now in New York as well. He never knew how to stay put too long, did he? Now she found herself outside his apartment door, her cheeks and nose a bit rosy from the walk from the subway to the building.
Jess had just come back from a meeting with his publishing team. After discussing his latest novel to hit shelves in June, he got a cab home and started thinking of where to order takeout from today. His novels hadn't made him rich, but he could afford a nice apartment in New York City and still lived comfortably. He didn't have a girlfriend not because he couldn't get one, but because he didn't want one. Well, he did want one but only ONE person, and he thought that was never going to happen again.
But here he was, standing in front of a girl, THE girl that took his heart and never gave it back.
"Please, come in." Jess said, realizing that no words had been spoken in a solid 10 seconds. "Thank you." Rory said, flashing him a quick smile. Jess closed the door behind her and said, "You know that the last thing I want to be is rude, but, what are you doing here?" "Here in your living room or here in New York?" Rory responded cleverly. "Well, both!" Jess said in return. "I got transferred here about a month ago and I started thinking about you and called Luke to see how you were and he told me you were in New York too so I came to see you!" Rory said quickly. Jess looked at her, his hands still in his pockets, his smirk still on his face. "You were thinking about me? Pleasant thoughts, I hope."
"Always." Rory smiled her trademark smile. "Well, are you hungry? I was trying to decide what to order when you knocked." Jess said. "I'm always hungry." Rory responded. She walked over to his counter, leaned over and started reading through takeout menus. He watched in amusement. She hadn't changed.