Chapter 1: Too warm…..definitely too warm

It was a very warm Wednesday in July. In fact, it was so warm that this was the first day in years that Luke decided not to wear flannel. He just wore a simple white T- shirt.

The breakfast crowd had just left and Luke was busy cleaning the counter. The only other person there was Kirk…of course.

The door opened and Luke heard the bell. For some reason (he didn't know why) he didn't look up to see the face of the person who entered the diner. Instead he looked down and only saw two pair of feet. He recognized Rory's sneakers so he knew it was her. Next to her sneakers he saw the other pair of feet, wearing flip- flops. That had to be Lorelai. He didn't remember her ever wearing flip- flops before.

Then he finally looked up. Rory was wearing shorts and a T- shirt and she had a backpack on her back. And then he saw Lorelai. She was wearing very short, denim shorts and….a pink bikini- top. That was all. He was lost for words.

'Wow', he thought, 'I have never seen someone this beautiful in my life.'

Of course he already knew she was gorgeous, but he had never seen this much of her before.

Rory had trouble keeping herself from laughing. Luke was staring at Lorelai like he had never done before. She had seen him stare many, many times, but never like this. When she looked to her side, she saw her mom was also staring at Luke.

'Oh my God, did he always have those biceps?!' Lorelai thought to herself. 'And when did I ever see him without flannel? Wow, apparently there really is a first time for everything.'

Then suddenly Lorelai realised she was staring at Luke like he was George Clooney himself.

'Uhm…sit anywhere?'

'What? Uhh, yeah sure. Sit anywhere.' 'Jeez, way to go man. You were looking at her as if she was from another planet.'

'Wow, mom are you okay', Rory asked her mom.

'Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't I be?'

'Well, you actually asked if we could sit anywhere. You've never asked that before.'

'Yes I have.'

'No, you haven't. And before that happened you were staring at Luke like he was an Oompa Loompa. What was that all about?'

'I was not staring at Luke like he was an Oompa Loompa. I was just a bit surprised to see him without his flannel, that's all.'

'Okay, well whatever you say..' 'Jeez', Rory thought to herself, ' just admit it. You think he's hot.'

At that moment Luke came to their table holding the coffeepot in his hand.

'Coffee?'

'Uh..no…', Lorelai said. Luke just looked very confused.

'Yes of course we'll have coffee! If we had been born a little earlier we would have invented it.'

'Right', Luke said while pouring the coffee, 'Of course you would have. So…what's with the interesting choice of clothes this morning?'

'We're going to the lake and pretend it's the sea', said Rory.

'And what's up with your interesting choice of clothes?' asked Lorelai.

'What do you mean?'

'Well, you're not wearing flannel. It's practically a revolution.'

'Oh that…well I just thought it was too warm for flannel.' And after seeing you like this it's definitely too warm for it.'

Then Kirk wanted some more food so Luke had to leave their table. Lorelai and Rory drank their coffee. After a while Kirk came to their table.

'Lorelai, can I ask you something?'

'Oh yeah…of course Kirk.'

'Well, you know, you are a woman…'

'No! Really, are you serious?!'

Kirk was just standing there looking very confused. Rory was giggling.

'Yes, Kirk, I know I'm a woman. Go on…'

'Uhm..right where was I?? Ehh..well yesterday I was reading something about massages..and I just keep wondering whether women like soft, delicate hands or the more rough kind?

While Kirk was talking to Lorelai, Luke was standing in the kitchen, listening very closely to this interesting conversation.

'Eehm….'

'I mean for the massage', said Kirk. 'For example: I have very soft and delicate hands and Luke has rough and big hands. Who would you rather have give you a massage? Who would be more successful in that business?'

At the thought of Luke giving her a massage, Lorelai started feeling a little uncomfortable. Not because she wouldn't like it, she would definitely enjoy that.

'Wait..what?! Where did that come from? I don't want Luke to give me a massage! …..Yes I do…oh crap! Well at least nobody can hear what I'm thinking, that's a relief. Hmm..unless the same thing that happened to Mel Gibson in 'What women want' happened to Luke….Probably not though. But maybe they can see it in my eyes that I would like Luke to give me a massage. What do I do?? Quick Gilmore, think! Just don't look anyone in the eye..

Well I can't lie..but when I say I would choose for the rough hands, that doesn't necessarily mean I want Luke to do it, right? Right!'

'Well..Kirk..I think I would have to say door number two. I'd personally go for the rough hands..but I can only speak for myself. Maybe there are lot's of women that would go for the soft hands..'

'Hmm..maybe I should take a poll at the next town meeting. Do you think that's a good idea?'

'Well sure Kirk, that's a great idea. But why? Do you think about getting into the massage- business?' 'God, that's terrible..'

'I don't know. Maybe if a lot of women say they would choose the soft, delicate hands I'll think about it. I have to go to the mall now. Mother needs some new bra's.'

When Lorelai said she would go for the rough hands, Luke's head shot up.

'Wow, does that mean she wants me to give her a massage? No Danes, of course not, what were you thinking? There are more men with rough hands out there…

I wouldn't mind giving her a massage though…I would start at her shoulders and slide down her upper arms for a bit, than give her neck some attention and slowly go down…giving her waist a little more attention than necessary..then go further down. Just a little further than she would expect, but not too far..

Stop it Danes, that's enough. It's too warm for these kinds of thoughts.'

After Kirk left, Lorelai and Rory stood up to leave as well. Lorelai was pleasantly surprised to find out that Luke had filled a thermos flask with coffee for them.

'Here', he said, 'take this with you.'

'Wow, you are willingly giving us coffee..'

'Yeah well, I can't let you dehydrate. I would be accused of murder and send to jail.'

'Ah', said Rory, 'so it's really self-protection.'

Luke winked at them. 'Exactly.'