Finn was rendered speechless when Rory opened her door. She looked stunning in a flirty blue dress, silver heels that made her legs look impossibly long, and with soft curls in her hair. She was an absolute vision. He finally reeled himself back in and spoke.

"You look incredible, kitten. I'm going to be the envy of every man in the restaurant tonight," he said with a wink, and he chuckled to himself as she blushed at the compliment.

"Aw, Finn! You're too kind!" Rory said as she stepped forward and kissed his cheek lightly. "You look pretty handsome yourself there, mister. I'll have to fight the other women off tonight, I'm certain," Rory said with a laugh.

"Never, love. You'll have my undivided attention."

"Such a charmer! Are we ready?" Rory asked, holding up her coat and jacket.

"This way, milady," he replied as he offered her his arm. She quickly wrapped her arm around his and closed her door behind her as they headed off toward the elevator.

"I hope you don't mind, kitten. I didn't rent a car because I didn't plan to go anywhere, so we'll use the car service tonight."

"Sure, that's fine with me. I'm easy to please," Rory said quickly, and then she must have realized what she had said because she blushed furiously.

"Cat got your tongue, pet?" Finn asked with a laugh as he helped her in the car and slid in next to her.

"Sorry, Finn. I guess some things never change, huh? I can still blush with the best of them," Rory said with a laugh.

"That's just one of the things we all love about you, dear. So tell me, what else is new with Rory Gilmore?" Finn asked.

"Not a lot, really. I'm sending out more resumes and putting out feelers for jobs after this is over and just looking forward to being in one place. What's new with you?"

"Well, I'm working in the family business now, obviously. I spend most of my time in New York City, but I travel some as needed to check up on our holdings and oversee our properties. Believe it or not, I enjoy the family business," Finn said as they pulled up to the restaurant. "We're here, kitten. I hope you still love Italian food?"

"Of course, Finn! Italian's great."

Finn exited the car and offered his hand to help Rory out before tucking her hand into his arm and leading her to the door of the restaurant. He held the door open for her, placing his hand on the small of her back to guide her into the restaurant. He couldn't help but notice that she didn't tense up with his touch, and he returned the shy grin she gave him with a wink.

"Good evening. Reservation for Morgan, sir," Finn said by way of greeting the maitre'd.

The maitre'd greeted them quickly and led them to a cozy booth in the back. Finn wasn't at all oblivious to the eyes on them as they entered the restaurant. Rory had always been unaware of the effect she had on men, but he noticed all of the appreciative glances sent her way. He took his seat across Rory after offering his hand to help her into her side of the booth and placed his napkin in his lap.

"How about some wine, kiten? Maybe a red?"

"That would be perfect, Finn! Thank you," Rory replied as their server approached their table.

"Good evening, my name is Emma and I'll be your server tonight. Would you like to start with a bottle of wine?"

"Yes, we would love a bottle of your cabernet, please," Finn said as he looked up briefly and then back to Rory. The waitress left the table to bring their wine and suddenly he heard Rory laughing.

"Finn, she was totally giving you the once over and you didn't even look at her! First you tell me that you're enjoying the business world and now you don't even notice a gorgeous woman trying to get your attention. What has happened to the Finn from Yale?" Rory said as she continued to giggle.

"Ah, love, there are a great many things that you don't know about adult Finn. I like to think of it as the new-and-improved Finn."

"Ooh, intrigue! Spill, because I want to know all about adult Finn," Rory said.

"Where to start? I've told you all about work. I haven't been drunk in long enough that I don't even remember the last time, it's no longer my life goal to bed every redhead I meet, and I can't tell you the last time I jumped off of anything. I'm afraid that I'm a shell of the man I once was," Finn chuckled.

"Just like fine wine," Rory replied without even thinking, and suddenly she was blushing.

"Pardon, kitten?"

"Oh, nothing really. I was just saying that it sounds like you've improved with age. Still as charming as funny as ever but more responsible. The next thing you know you'll tell me that you've settled down with one woman."

"I hate to break your heart, pet, but I dare say that I have actually had a couple of girlfriends in the last two and a half years, and I haven't been out on a date in a while."

"No! The Finn Morgan committed to one woman exclusively? And not dating constantly? It's a good thing I'm sitting down!" Rory quipped.

"Laugh it up, Miss Gilmore. Priorities have changed," Finn said with a sly smile.

"You sound happy, Finn. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but you just sound more content than I've ever seen you. Maturity looks good on you."

"Why, I can't believe it! Is she finally admitting that she's checking me out?" Finn said with a laugh, and Rory instantly blushed.

"Finn! That's not what I meant!" Rory shot back quickly as her cheeks heated.

"Relax, kitten. I'm just giving you a hard time. So, tell me, what's new with you? I know very little about what you've been up to since you graduated."

"Well, obviously you know that I refused Logan's proposal and he broke up with me - " Rory began but Finn cut her off.

"What do you mean he broke up with you? He just said you turned him down and it was over."

"What? No, I told him I couldn't marry him then, that I needed to find my way in the world before I could consider that, and he told me it was all or nothing. I couldn't accept his proposal, so he walked away."

"That makes so much more sense. None of us could see you just walking away completely, even if you weren't ready for marriage. We all expected that you two would make it."

"Honestly, Finn, we never really talked about the future. We lived in the moment, but there was never a time we sat down and talked about what we both wanted going forward, and it totally took me by surprise when he proposed. I just...I couldn't. I loved him then, but I couldn't see myself marrying him, becoming Mrs. Logan Huntzberger. I don't want to be a society wife who just plans parties and takes care of her husband. I wanted more. I still want more. Does this sound crazy?" Rory asked taking a deep breath and looking up at him with those beautiful blue eyes.

"Not at all, kitten. There are women who are happy to play the part of the supportive society wife, always content to be behind the scenes and supporting from afar, and then there are those who want to blaze a path next to their husband. That's one of the things that I love about my family. My parents, Finnegan and Amelia, are partners in life. They love each other after all this time, my mom helps with the family business, and my father respects her for what she brings to the table. They compliment each other. He would never dream of being unfaithful to her. My two older sisters, who are married, both work as well. Eva works with the family business, and Annabelle works with her husband."

"Wow, that's so unusual in society, but it's wonderful," Rory said quietly.

"It is. So, what else has changed?"

"Honestly, I don't have time for anything else to change," Rory said with a laugh. "The campaign trail has kept me so busy. I left two days after graduation, and I've hardly had time to look up since then. I've gone home for a few breaks, but this really is my life. God, I'm so ready for it to be over!" Rory said as she sighed and took a long sip of the wine that their waitress had just delivered.

They paused from their conversation long enough to order before picking back up.

"So, how is everyone?" Rory asked. "I haven't talked to any of you guys since then. Have Steph and Colin finally quit dancing around each other?" Rory asked with a laugh.

"Actually, he just popped the question a few weeks ago and they're marrying in the spring. I've never seen them so happy. They started dating after graduation."

"Aw, that's so great! And how's Logan? I mean, you don't have to tell me if you don't feel comfortable with it. I just hope he's done well for himself and that he's happy," Rory said.

Finn watched her for a moment before answering, looking for any hint of emotion he might see on her face.

"He's good, kitten. He didn't stay long in California before Mitchum lured him back to HPG, and he's enjoying it. His mother is over-the-moon that she was finally able to set him up with Stacey Fallon," Finn added timidly, still watching her face for any trace of regret or hurt, but all he saw was a sincere smile.

"That's so good! I'm really happy for him. He deserves happiness, and I'm certain that having Stacey as a potential future daughter-in-law makes Mitchum and Shira much happier than the thought of me," Rory added with a sincere laugh.

Finn took a deep breath before deciding to ask the question he'd been pondering all day, confident that he could remain casual and not show all of his cards.

"You sound like you've moved on, love?"

"I have. I mean, it's not that I'm seeing anyone right now, but I've dated a bit. It's hard with me constantly on the road, but I'm in a good place. It took some time to get there, but I really don't have any regrets."

"That's good, love. I know he would want you to be happy as well," Finn answered as their meals were set on the table in front of them.

Conversation descended into lighter topics and was filled with laughter as they enjoyed their meals. Suddenly Finn's phone rang, and he took it out of his pocket and gave an exasperated sigh.

"I'm so sorry, kitten. This is the hotel, and I need to make sure everything is okay. I'm just going to step outside for a moment, okay?" he asked with an apologetic tone.

"Of course! I completely understand, Finn. Go!" Rory answered.

As Finn walked away from the table, Rory took her phone out of her purse and opened it only to find a text from her mom.

How's the hot Aussie?

As hot as ever. He's matured. It's weird in a good way.

Ooh, Mommy likes exotic men! Is there chemistry?

I don't know. I think so. Maybe? I'm so bad at this.

Just relax and enjoy yourself, kiddo. You'll know. Don't stress, and don't do anything I wouldn't do!

Rory laughed as she read her mom's final text and slipped her phone back in her purse just as Finn returned to the table.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

"Everything's good, they just panicked for a moment. Sometimes being the boss is like having dozens of children running around the office," Finn answered with a chuckle, and Rory couldn't help but notice how his eyes lit up as he laughed. He looked so at ease and confident without being cocky, and it was very attractive. She couldn't believe that she'd never noticed how attractive he was before, but perhaps that had more to do with his reckless attitude and lifestyle and the fact that she'd been dating his best friend.

Just then, the server brought the check and placed it on the table between them. They both reached for it at the same time, but Finn managed to snatch it up first and gave her a teasing stare.

"Huh-uh, kitten. It's my treat, I insist. Don't even try to argue. You've spent enough time around Colin, Logan and me to know that none of us would ever let you pick up the check."

"You really don't have to, Finn, but thank you. You're quite the gentleman," she answered with a blush.

Finn settled the bill quickly and stood before offering her his hand to help her up. She placed her hand in his and stood, trying to ignore the warmth that was spreading through her body at the physical contact. She briefly wondered if her body was simply reacting to the lack of physical affection since she and Logan broke up, but she had to admit that she'd never had those feelings when any other date had touched her so innocently. She quickly shrugged into her jacket that Finn was holding out for her and grabbed her purse before turning to him, relaxing into his touch as he again placed his hand on the small of her back. Suddenly, she felt his breath on her neck as he leaned down to her ear.

"Every man in this restaurant wants to know who the gorgeous woman next to me is right now, kitten."

Rory shivered with the feel of having him so close to her, and at the weight of his words.

"You've always been delusional, Finn," she said with a small laugh.

"Not even close, love. They've all been eyeing you since the moment we walked in the doors. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever had the pleasure to accompany," Finn replied.

Rory stopped dead in her tracks for a moment, stunned by Finn's words, and he simply turned back to her with a sincere smile and reached out his hand in her direction in an invitation to continue the short walk to the waiting car.