Rory Gilmore spends summers with her grandparents either the Hayden's or the Gilmore's alternately. Spring and winter breaks are the same so her mom can work at the Inn and not have her underfoot. It is not that her mother minds but it does make work harder. This story is totally AU and Rory is the same age as Logan and friends so are Paris and Tristan.
Disclaimer: I don't own them just like to borrow them for my musings. Don't own anything Beatle related either just find some lyrics and titles very inspiring.
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Chapter 2 – A New Day
Rory was sunning on the beach, book in hand and every now and again she would look up and watch the surfers. There was one who was particularly good and she set her book down to watch him. He made it look effortless and by the ease at which she could see him he must be tall. She continued to be mesmerized by him until Stephanie broke her concentration.
"Hey girlie, what are you looking at?" Steph asked.
Rory raised her hand and pointed to the surfer, "Him, he has been at it for a while and he is really good. I wonder if he's professional."
"Most girls see a specimen like that and want to jump his bones, you see him and want to know his vocation. You are odd." Steph laughed and joined her friend in admiring the view.
After a while the surfer paddled back to shore and walked towards them carrying his board.
"G-day ladies, enjoy the show?" He stood his board on end and plopped down in front of them.
"You were doing that for our benefit huh?" Steph flirted.
"Actually I noticed your friend here first if you don't mind. I was particularly proud to pull her from her book, I saw you yesterday and you never looked away from it so I upped my game today. The name's Finn Morgan and you are?" He extended his hand towards a fish mouthed Rory.
She swallowed, "Uh, I am Rory Gilmore and this is my friend Stephanie Vanderbilt."
"Good to know you ladies. Rory can I ask you to join me for lunch today? I would like to know what it was about the book yesterday that had you so enrapt. Say I meet you back here at noonish?" He looked at her his eyes sparkling with mischief.
She looked to Steph who nodded encouragement, "OK sure, I guess I see you then."
"Excellent, see you then kitten." He stood and took his board then returned to the surf.
"Oh my god Rory you totally just got a date with a hot Aussie!" Steph squealed.
"Yeah I did, didn't I, Oh my god I did! What am I going to wear, what do I say, I haven't ever done any of this before. Steph help!" Rory looked pale and panicked.
"Hey settle down, I have loads of times and Honor too, we will prep you. Noon is a full hour and a half away, let's go get you ready!" She bounced up from the sand and pulled Rory beside her. They gathered their things and headed back to the house.
They passed Honor on the way in and grabbed her to help.
Honor squealed at the news, "You go girl, here a day and a date with a surfer! Too hot to handle!"
They bounded up the stairs to fuss over her and get her ready. Rory was pushed into the shower and then her outfit was laid on the bed, it was a cute denim mini and a blue v neck T-shirt that said 'I Read Therefore I Am' and had an open book on it, since Finn seemed to like the bookishness of her they figured to play it up. She paired it with sandals and light makeup and after their running dialog of advice felt ready to head out.
Rory was headed out the door when she bumped into Logan, "Hey Ace, you look great, want to join us for lunch?"
"Sorry Logan, have a date, see you later bye." She slipped under his arm and out to the awaiting figure on the beach.
Logan looked after her awestruck, date, did she say date? Rory didn't date she read and hung out, but no dating. This was new and he wasn't sure if he liked it. Something felt off as he watched the pair walk out of sight with his arm slung over her shoulder and her hand casually around his waist. He felt oddly jealous, like it should be him.
Rory and Finn walked to the boardwalk and he asked her what she would like they settled on corn dogs, chili fries and lemonade. They found a table and began to talk.
"I knew I chose the right Sheila, your mate didn't look the type to eat and I think women who eat are alright sexy." He winked at her as she put mustard on her dog and took a bite making an mmm sound.
"Steph eats, not as much as me none of the girls eat as much as me, but she eats. I'm glad you wanted to go with me though, I'm having fun." She smiled and grabbed a chili fry.
They ate companionably and laughed at each other's anecdotes, Finn told her he was actually moving to Connecticut and she told him that is where she was from and was amazed further to find out he would be at Chilton after the break, he was just in Cali for the surf. It was a small world. They walked around the boardwalk and he bought her a book bag and a T-shirt that said, 'So Many BOOKS so little Time' and had a stack of books with a tiny clock. They noticed it was getting late and he had to join his parents for dinner and she her friends. They walked with his arm over her shoulder and hers around his waist back the Geller house and he escorted her to the door.
"I'd love to take you to lunch again tomorrow, think you can swing it?" Finn looked at her with hope in his eyes.
She smiled brightly, "I would like that, how should I dress?"
"Anything for a restaurant, not to swanky but nice; see you tomorrow kitten." He leaned in and kissed her cheek then waived goodbye.
Rory watched him disappear then turned and entered the house, grinning like the Cheshire cat.
Paris spotted her first, "Rory, what's got into you, hey stop answer me!"
Rory just kept walking and climbed the stairs to her room, Paris in pursuit as soon as she passed Steph's room she heard a squeal for Honor and the three of them cornered her as she put her stuff down. They pulled her to the bed and they all sat surrounding her.
"OK Spill! You have to tell us everything; don't leave anything out about your date with the hot body from down under!" Steph demanded.
Rory excitedly told them about lunch, the boardwalk him buying her gifts and finally the sweet kiss on her cheek and a date for the next day. She asked if she could invite him to the BBQ the next evening since he was going to be going to Chilton after break and the girls squealed and bounced on her bed. Rory just smiled and thought how nice he was and how special he made her feel.
The girls got dressed for Dinner they were heading to Ed Debevic's for burgers and fun! They piled into the town cars and set out for the iconic Beverly Hills restaurant. They loaded in and let the hostess know the number of their party, they had called a head so their wait was minimal and they were seated in no time at all. They ordered cokes, iced tea and coffee (Rory shrugged) then burgers and fries all around. They laughed and chatted and Logan asked Rory about her date, the boys went quiet; Rory had been on a date? Steph sure, maybe even Paris, but Rory, she was a bookworm. Rory blushed at the sudden attention.
"Actually I am inviting him to the barbecue, you'll meet him then, he is starting at Chilton after the break. His name is Finn Morgan, he is from Australia and his family owns and manages hotels, resorts and such. He is also a terrific surfer which is kind of how we met, I was watching him surf, and he is really good." She said quickly and took a swig of her coffee draining the cup and signaling for more, the waitress refilled it and smartly left a thermal carafe for the addict.
They all looked around and Honor broke the silence, "He sounds great! Anyone think we should do Disney while were here or do you want to trek to Six Flags and do the coaster thing?" Like that the conversation was off Rory. She couldn't help but notice Logan's attention was not.
Logan looked at Rory, really looked at her, he had known her for years but how did he not notice how stunning she was. Her hair was down in soft touchable curls; her blouse sported a sweetheart neckline that showed her curves nicely. He thought about her in uniform, she didn't 'fix' it like other girls it was strictly to code, and she never ate lunch with them preferring to sit with her Walkman and read. When had she lost the baby fat and started looking like 'that'. His eyes glanced at her legs as she stood to join the girls in the restroom and he watched the gentle sway of her hips as she walked away. Tristan was trying in vain for over five minutes to get his attention finally he smacked him upside the head.
"Dude, what is up with you, we were deciding who pays tonight", he absently handed over his black card, Tristan looked at him incredulously, "Are you serious, you are picking up the whole tab, papa Huntz is gonna be OK with that?"
Logan snapped out of it, "Sure, he won't care, it's not like it's booze or a strip club, besides Honor's here and he'll do anything for his princess."
Tristan just handed the card to the waiting staff member who looked at the name and the boy appreciatively.
"Man, what got into you, you are staring at Gilmore like she's a steak?" Tristan half whispered to Logan.
"Did you ever notice how stunning she is?" Logan looked at the guys expectantly.
"Nah, she's Gilmore, always with her head in a book, she's not like the other girls. Sure she's cute but you know she is kind of not available." Colin surmised.
The waitress returned with his check and her phone number, Logan signed the check and left the number. The other guys looked gobsmacked.
"Did I just see the legendary Logan Huntzberger turn down an easy lay? Quick someone call a doctor, the man is ill, first he is moon eyed over Gilmore now he is ignoring numbers." Tristan mocked and then quieted as the girls returned to the table for the tiny sundaes. The conversation they had was dropped and the group left to return to their respective abodes for the evening.
