Chapter 2. June 4th 2008

Rory texted Paris

R- On my way to the Globe.

P- I'll finish my shift at 2 pm, but I have to pick some samples at the Harvard Science Center for my research lab. Meet me at Starbucks on Harvard Square at 3:30?

R- Okay I'll be there.

Rory arrived at the Globe just 5 minutes before 11 am and headed for the reception.

"Good morning, I'm Rory Gilmore. Bill Avery is expecting me."

"Yes Miss Gilmore, 2nd floor. His assistant will be waiting for you."

In the elevator, she breathed deeply to focus her brain. Maybe it will be the following step to her journalist life. When the doors opened, she retook a deep breath, came out of the elevator and went to the nearest information desk.

"Good morning, I have an appointment with Bill Avery," she said politely.

"His office is right at the end of the hall, on the left," the woman answered.

"Thank you very much."

Following the directions, she found the office and was informed by his secretary that he was still in a meeting. She sat there struggling to cool her nerves so she could make a good impression. Suddenly, a tall blond guy stormed out of the office with a desperate expression. He looked frantically all over the place when their eyes met.

"Good luck," he said and walked away in the hallway. Taking her eyes away from the guy she saw a man in his fifties, little taller than her, with some gray hair, definitely charming, standing in the door frame. She guessed it was Bill, the editor-in-chief. She had never met him in person. He started walking towards her, and she got up to greet him properly.

"Hi, Rory, nice to finally meet you in person. Hugo had a lot of nice things to say about you," Bill said smiling with a handshake. "Please enter and have a seat."

"I'm also very pleased to meet you," Rory replied.

"As I told you on the phone, we would like to hire you for a metro reporter position to cover politics. You did a great job for us while filling in for Syl when she was on maternity leave. Nevertheless, in the meantime, the editorial board wanted to do a special summer series of more in-depth articles of comparative politics. We want to begin with the European Union. Then, if it works, it would mean Israel, Canada, Australia, South Africa. So, this will require traveling all around Europe first. We don't have a European correspondent so you will be by yourself over there. I know that you don't have any experience abroad, but you are used to traveling with the campaign trail. Such a series of articles would be a significant impulse for your career. Now, if you think that you're not cut for such an overseas experience we can still offer you the original position as a metropolitical reporter," he finished and smiled at her waiting for her answer.

She couldn't believe her ears; she was offered an opportunity to report from overseas. Of course, it was temporary, but it was a chance that she was willing to seize.

"Thank you, Bill, that's an incredible opportunity. I'd love to," she finally answered. "Just a question, once the series is done, will that metro reporter position will still be available for me?"

"Well, maybe not this precise one, but depending on how these articles will be received, we'll induce other series of that kind but not necessarily overseas. I know it sounds vague in the long-term just keep in mind that it's a reporter position. So, could you be interested?"

"Absolutely, I'm interested in either position with a huge preference with the European one of course."

"Great, I still have to see another candidate, but as I told you, you're definitely are my favorite. I just have to run my conclusions through the board tomorrow morning, and then I'll be able to give you a contract so that you can have your lawyer to look over if it's alright with you. Are you applying for other jobs?"

"Yes, I did, but nothing as definitive as your offer has kicked in yet. Anyway, I still work for Hugo for the moment, but I don't know for how long as the primary campaign is ending," Rory replied excitedly.

"Okay, great. I'll call you tomorrow." Bill shook her hand and led her to the door.

"I'll wait for your call," she answered and beamed at him.

She couldn't believe what just happened. Once she exited the building, the spring sun hit her face and it was just like if life was smiling at her. She had a few hours to kill before meeting Paris. She decided to call her dad to see if he was able to grab a bite with her. Her relationship with Christopher was good, even or maybe because they didn't see each other much. He was a terrific dad to Gigi and sometimes, she wished she could have had the same connection with him when she was a child.

Nevertheless, she liked the way they were together now. They met at a small restaurant near his office. When she arrived, he was already sitting at a table by the window. He stood up to hug her.

"Hey kiddo, I like when you surprise me like that!"

"If you're lucky we will be able to do that more often," she grinned at him.

"How long are you staying in Boston?"

"The trail is done now, but I have to be in DC the day after tomorrow for the speech of Hillary Clinton and depending on this job offer, I'll follow the fundraising events until the Democratic convention, or I'll go to Europe."

"Wow, I'm impressed. Let's order first because I have to be back at the office for a meeting at two."

Once they'd put their order, Rory shared stories of the campaign with her dad. He asked her to stay with him and Gigi until she left for DC, but she said she would do it next time she'll be in town.

"Maybe you can help me in another way though."

"Sure, anything for you, kiddo."

"The editor said that if I got the job, I should have my contract looked at by a lawyer. Do you know one here that could do the job? Otherwise, I could ask Grandpa."

"Consider my lawyer is yours. With all the business I give him, it's absolutely isn't a problem for him to look over a contract."

"Thanks, dad."

When they left the restaurant, her father hugged her.

"I hope you'll get the job. If you do, the offer to stay with us still stands."

"Thanks, dad, I'll think about it."

Christopher left to his office and Rory headed to find the coffee shop in Harvard Square to wait for Paris.

Robert entered the coffee shop and ordered a triple espresso to go. He needed that after a couple of sleepless nights to finish his dissertation. He was absent-mindedly scanning the room while waiting for his coffee when he saw her. He was struck speechless, she was sitting there, in a red dress, more beautiful that he could remember and as things could never change, she was reading exactly like when he found her years ago in the Brantford dining hall.

"Robert!" the barista called.

"Thanks," he took his coffee and when directly to Rory.

"Business or pleasure?"

She had already heard this line before. She raised her head and was immediately struck dumb.

"Robert!? As I live and breathe!" she beamed, stood up and hugged him. "So good to see you."

"It's good to see you again Rory." Robert was a little surprised by the affectionate gesture that it took him a second to hug her back. Man, it feels good.

"What are you doing here?" Rory asked excitedly.

"Harvard grad school, poli sci," Robert answered. "What about you? I thought you were working on the Obama campaign trail?"

"I am, but I had an interview at the Boston Globe this morning and now I'm waiting for Paris. Have you ever run into her? She's at Harvard med school."

"No, I knew she was at Harvard, but you know, their campus is located on the other side of the river. Listen, I would love to catch up with you, but I have an appointment with my thesis advisor. Are you free for dinner tonight?"

"Sorry, I was planning to spend the evening with Paris."

"Well, maybe I could join you if you don't mind?" he raised an eyebrow at her expectantly.

"Sure. Here is my card, text me, and I'll tell you when I'll know where we'll meet."

"Awesome, sorry I've to rush," and he stormed out.

While she watched him running through the door, she saw Paris walking toward the coffee shop. It was a surprise to see Robert, and surprisingly a good one. She never thought that running into one of Logan's friends could make her feel good and not hurt.

"What is buzzing in that head of yours, Gilmore?" Paris asked sternly.

"Paris! I'm so happy to see you!" They had a big bear hug. "I missed you so much!"

"I can't believe that I'm saying that but, me too Gilmore. So, care to tell me the reason for such a big beam?"

"Just feeling weird happy to run into Robert Semple. Did you know he was in Harvard grad school?"

"You're hanging with the wealthy Yale dumb snobbish boys again? Pfffff... Haven't you learned your lesson?"

"You know I'm not. I've been on the campaign trail for more than a year, and I cut everything off with them. I needed to."

Paris was already regretting what she'd said. She knew how hard it was for Rory to get over from Logan and that anything that could be linked to him was taboo.

"Maybe Robert isn't that dumb as he ended up in grad school. What surprised me is the fact that it wasn't awkward and actually, I was glad to see him. Maybe it tells me that I could be over Logan..."

"Great that we should celebrate!"

Rory's phone pinged.

"Don't forget me Reporter girl. Looking forward to catching up with you. Robert"

Rory smiled. "Can he join us tonight?"

"Sure, why not," Paris answered.