The sunlight was bright and glinting off the skyscrapers that littered the skyline. Rory Gilmore pushed her sunglasses onto her face, tugged her bag on her shoulder, and crossed the street. Her mood was high; she'd just received a wonderful review from her editor on her last piece. She dodged a yellow cab that was running a red. She grimaced along with the other people that were crossing the road. The busy New York life was still eye-opening to her; it definitely wasn't Stars Hollow. But her mother was extremely happy that Rory still lived close enough for visits; she often found herself making the trip home to live the weekends on the couch with takeout and movie marathons. Luke and Lorelei had moved into the old house together since they got married, and everything was perfect on that front. April spent the summers with them a lot of the time; Rory had grown attached to her step-sister. They were planning a trip for next summer before April's senior year. Rory started to cross another street, but something caught her eye as she made her way across the rest of the way. A dark haired something. Her heels clicked on the pavement, and her coat swished against her knees as she hurried toward him. He was sitting at a chair outside a café; coffee sitting half drunk, book propped open in front of him. She tugged her glasses off and smiled. "Jess?"
His dark eyes looked up and met hers instantly; the small half smile that she'd always loved slid onto his face.
"Oh my God!" She squealed, as he stood, holding his arms out to her. She quickly stepped up to him and returned the hug; relishing the feeling she'd missed. "What are you doing here?" She stepped back, and he indicated for her to take the other seat at the table.
"I would ask you the same thing, but Luke told me about the job,"
She sat her bag down at her feet then grinned at him.
"Congratulations," His voice was so sincere.
"Thanks, I still can't believe it." She felt almost giddy. After getting off the campaign trail, she'd gotten her dream job at the New York Times. She had a small apartment, a cubical, and everything she'd really wanted. She hadn't heard from Logan since he'd walked away at her graduation, but she'd gotten over it. Her heart knew she made the right choice. And sitting across from Jess, all the old feelings started rising again. They'd danced together at Luke and Lorelei's wedding; such a special, wonderful night.
A waitress stepped up to the table then, and tugged a notepad out of her apron. "Can I get you something?" She smiled.
"Coffee, please," Rory answered. The waitress nodded and went back into the café. "Now you never answered my question," She prompted.
He leaned on his elbows that were resting on the table. "I'm actually here to meet with my editor," He looked sheepish. "I'm publishing something new,"
"You are?" Her face lit up. "I didn't know!"
"I haven't told them yet," He said, meaning Lorelei and Luke. "I thought I'd wait till it was actually out." He tugged his own bag up onto his lap and dug in it. "Speaking of which," He pulled a small hardback out and slid it over to her. "Here's a new arc. Hot off the press."
She grabbed it and instantly flipped it over to read the cover. "An Innocent Incident? That doesn't sound ominous," She grinned. She looked at the back cover, running her finger over his picture. "Oh, this is so great, Jess."
He didn't say anything, just watched her look over the book. The waitress brought the drink back and sat it in front of her. Rory took a large sip, and then shook her hair out of her eyes, looking at him. She hadn't seen him in over a year; annual Thanksgiving dinner at the Gilmore's house, that he was invited to thanks to Luke. His hair was shorter, like the first time she'd met him, standing in her bedroom.
She patted the book. "I can't wait to read it."
"You always were my biggest fan," He joked.
"I'm just glad you finally figured out your potential."
They were both quiet for a minute, listening to the sounds of the city around them. She twirled the cup in her hands. "Hey, Jess?" She almost whispered.
"Yeah?" He responded in the same voice.
"I, um." She'd thought about this a hundred times. She'd tried to write it to him in a letter, but could never find the right words. Sitting here in front of him now, she didn't know if she could get it out. "I just wanted to thank you,"
His eyebrows came together. "For what?"
She shrugged. "For convincing me to go back to school. You're the reason I did, you know."
He made a face. "Sure it wasn't your bottle blond?"
"Ha, no." She looked up, not meeting his eyes. "Logan wasn't much help in that situation."
"You still with him?"
"I haven't seen him in almost five years."
At this, he looked surprised. He should have realized; Logan hadn't been at the wedding, or any holidays since. But Jess had never asked, and Rory had never mentioned it.
"Well," He swallowed. "You're welcome."
She reached over and cautiously touched his hand. He just looked down at it; an odd look on his face. She let go, and felt the awkwardness wash over her.
"Uh, how long are you in town?"
"I head back to Philly tomorrow," He took another sip of his coffee.
Disappointment flooded her. Her hands twisted in her lap.
"Hey," He leaned toward her, lowering his voice. "Have dinner with me tonight." It wasn't a question, but it wasn't a demand. It was just normal Jess. She nodded yes.