The Games have begun
'I have to go,' she said all of a sudden.
It was all I could do not to let my mouth fall open. 'What? Did I do something or –'
She didn't let me finish. 'No, no. This was... you were –' she stumbled over her words, 'are... it was wonderful, and I look forward to many similar occurrences in the future, but right now, I have to go. Understand?' she managed to say.
Everything she'd just said had gone straight over my head. 'Not at all,' I answered.
She smiled shyly. 'It's more fun that way, isn't it?'
There was only one thing left for me to do. I couldn't help myself. 'Come here,' I said before I took her face in my hands again and kissed her. It was a short kiss, but it was enough. 'Beat it,' I said, not wanting her to go at all.
'I'll see you tomorrow,' she assured me, probably hearing the disappointment in my voice, before she turned around and walked away.
I leaned back against the gas pump, digesting what had just happened. I'd officially gotten the girl. All these stupid town festivals had not been for nothing after all. At the dance marathon, I'd been sure I'd lost her, the way she was talking to me, holding Dean close and later dancing with him, or more accurately hanging on his shoulders to keep herself in a vertical position, I was certain I'd lost her. Never before had I felt so jealous. I wanted to be that guy for her. But what happened then changed everything, and now here I was still feeling the pressure of her lips on mine, her taste lasting on my tongue. I couldn't help the grin that was spreading on my face.
'Where is she?' Luke pulled me out of my very happy daydream.
'I have no idea who you're talking about,' I said.
'Don't play games with me, I know you used the kid code and she's around here somewhere.'
'Used the what?' I was too stunned to even think of a smart comment.
'You know what I'm talking about. Now, where is she?' He started looking around Gipsy's garage, looking under benches and behind trees.
'I really think I should have you committed. Is that Rory's sweater? What did you do, sniff it so you would find her faster?'
'Oh, you and Lorelai should put an act together, you two are hilarious.'
'Come again?' Luke had now exhausted all the spots Rory could have possibly been hiding. 'See, nobody hiding here. Anything else you wanted?'
'Where's the part?' he asked cleverly.
'Must've gotten the dates mixed up," I lied very unconvincingly. 'I guess I should head back to the diner, or would you like me to deliver Rory's sweater to her. I'll make sure she's warm tonight.' I looked at him with a wicked grin.
His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. 'There will be no keeping warm tonight... or any night, you hear me!' His face turned bright read, even in the dark I could tell.
'I can't make any promises.' I shrugged my shoulders as I slowly headed back to the diner.
'If you so much as look at this girl in the wrong way, I will have you sent back to your mother,' he threatened as he followed me.
'Whatever you say, uncle Luke,' I laughed.
On the other side of the town square, I saw a girl running past on her way home. My girl of mystery.