Too Cute For Luke

Chapter 3: That's a Set!

"Okay, that's a set," Dicey smiled.

"Thank God it's over!" Lorelai sighed, dropping her racquet, seeming winded, but appearing fresh and perspiration free, never one to like physical exertion. He slender arms and legs contrasted with Dicey's more compact, athletic frame.

"You're right, you are rusty," Dicey called over the net. She removed her visor and wiped her forehead with her wristband, then took a long healthy drink from her water bottle.

"I know. I apologize for the sucky playing. It probably wasn't fun for you at all," Lorelai said.

"Don't worry about it. It was a pleasure to see how cool Luke's fiancée is." Dicey smiled back. "Besides, the purpose of my trip was business, not tennis. The fact that I was able to come to this quirky little town is just a perk. Oh, and I got to meet you, and I got to see Luke again. It's been really great."

Lorelai felt at ease with Dicey's petite cuteness. Somehow, it made her feel statuesque, and svelte in contrast. Surprisingly, she was not intimidated by the sprite who had just handed her her ass in tennis. They were a good, friendly fit, fun and very low key.

***

Sitting at the diner Lorelai and Dicey chatted easily, like two old-time friends, while Luke attended to the customers.

"So, Luke tells me you two had an, um, interesting relationship in college," Lorelai broached the subject, not so subtly.

Dicey laughed, "Oh, I wondered how much he shared with you about that." She blushed a little. "I guess you could say we had some fun." Still smiling, she seemed to remember the old times fondly.

Lorelai liked her laugh, it was quiet, but secure. She also liked how her smile reached all the way up to her green eyes, without any trace of pretense.

So, tell me about Coed Luke," Lorelai leaned in, changing the subject. Remembering Luke's warning, she didn't want to make her new friend feel interrogated, so she kept the questions general. "Was he as grumpy then?"

"He was serious. A serious smart-ass. I think that's what I liked most about him." She laughed. "He had a tight group of friends. They all followed him around, like he was the big brother. I guess he kind of was. He was way more mature than I was, anyway. I took the 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' attitude way too seriously."

"Did he wear any weird eighties clothes? Flock of Seagulls haircut?" Lorelai asked.

"No, nothing too out there," she giggled. Bringing the coffee up to her pouty little lips.

"Come on. Give me something to work with here. I can't tease him relentlessly about being mature and having close friends. Did he at least wear parachute pants, sport a mullet?" Lorelai fished for more information to use to tease him.

"No, actually, he wore about the same thing he's wearing now, Levi's and a tee shirt, with a flannel over it," Dicey shrugged. "Sorry to disappoint you."

They sat back, reflecting for a moment. "Oh, you can mention Miranda. He really carried a torch for her. He never told me he did, but the signs were obvious." Dicey divulged.

Sensing that this might be something she could use, Lorelai asked, "Miranda? What, was she a Madonna wanna be? Or was she more the Pat Benitar type?"

"No, she was more the Lorelai Gilmore type," Dicey said decisively. "In fact, when I met you at the inn, I knew you were you, even before you said you were you."

"I actually understood that," Lorelai grinned, happy to be on the same wavelength as Luke's old friend-with-benefits.

"What I mean is, you're someone I can picture him with." She clarified unnecessarily. "He always liked really pretty women."

Lorelai blushed, "And, I totally mean this as a compliment, but you're not at all who I would picture him… um, you know… dating." She laughed, "He doesn't usually chose women who are so darned cute. "

"Thanks. I know I wasn't his type. Like I said, he really took a shine to Miranda. She was my roommate. She had long flowing hair, slender hips. That's one reason we um, hung out, longer than our mutual attraction warranted."

"Tell me about that." Lorelai asked. "Was it awkward? You know, him liking your roommate and all?"

"Well, not really. I kind of liked her, too" Dicey's cheeks dimpled and blushed. "She was really easy to like, beautiful and lighthearted. Like you, kind of dainty, but not the least bit prissy." She added, not trying to flatter Lorelai, just fondly recalling a friend.

Lorelai thought that her new friend looked even more adorable when she was embarrassed, having all but admitted to having a college crush on another girl.

"So, what happened?" Lorelai encouraged.

"I'm not really sure. The three of us made big plans for Luke's birthday, sort of a private party. Then on the night of the event, Luke was tracked down by one of his buddies saying that there was a visitor at their apartment. Luke left, and called back later with some excuse about a family emergency. Well, Miranda got her feelings hurt. Things really cooled down after that. Luke sort of kept to himself. And Miranda and I grew closer. So, she didn't really want my old, you know, hanging around."

"So, you and Miranda?" Lorelai asked, not wanting to make any assumptions or get too personal.

"We changed the course of our friendship and became exclusive," she said, diplomatically.

"Really?" Lorelai asked. "I don't mean to pry, but I will." She took a breath. "So, you're a lesbian?"

"It's more nuanced than that. I don't really like to confine myself to a certain label. I know it's all the rage be a lesbian right now. And it's the politically correct thing to 'come out'. But I can't say if I am, or if I'm not. I love men, and most of my serious relationships have been with men. But, I love women too. I have been in love with a couple of women. Miranda was one; it lasted a whopping three months. She gave it the old college try, but it wasn't the right thing for her. I guess, for me, it depends on the person, though." She searched Lorelai's eyes for familiar signs of shock. While men were usually turned on by this admission, women usually didn't take the information very well. Satisfied that she didn't find any shock, or judgement on Lorelai's face, she relaxed a bit.

"I hear you, sister." Lorelai said, nodding in fascination. "Does Luke know any of this, with you and Miranda?"

"He had a pretty good idea at the time, yes." She smiled, trying unsuccessfully to hide her perfect white teeth, and to remain vague. "But, he needs to tell you about that. It's not really my place." She raised her cup and took in a long drink through her mischievous smile.

Lorelai sat back for a moment, observing Dicey's features and mannerisms. She was an interesting woman. Not many people surprised her, but this one sure did. Fascinating, she thought, wheels turning inside her head.

Luke approached the table, and topped off their coffee. "Don't get too chummy and start ganging up on me now, girls," He teased.

"And you," he said, pointing at Dicey, "don't let those innocent blue eyes fool you. Everything, and I mean everything, you say to her will be used against me."

Both ladies laughed knowingly.

***

After dinner, Lorelai and Luke sat on the soft cozy couch, assuming their evening positions. They were reclining on shared pillows, legs entwined, feet propped up on the coffee table. They enjoyed unwinding together, familiar in their affection.

"This is my favorite time of the day," he sighed, as he lifted Lorelai's hand to his lips, kissing it tenderly.

"I know, it seems like the whole day is just a blur, working, and shopping, until I get to come home and have you here. Like, this is my real life, and all the rest is just extra stuff." She breathed in his scent, molding her soft body into his lean muscles. "Thanks for dinner tonight, it was wonderful, and not a hint of green leafy veggies anywhere." She smiled over at him, and they kissed softly.

"You. Are. Welcome." He punctuated each word with a kiss on the top of her head.

"So, I was thinking," she started.

"Uh oh, I thought I smelled wood burning," he grumped.

"It's your birthday in a couple of days. What should we do?"

"I don't know, I can think of a few things," he said snuggling closer.

"Luuuuke," she whined. "Come on, I can't think of anything fun to do. It's a special occasion. We're commemorating the day you came to earth. What if you were never here? I would be living a Luke-less life. That's so depressing. Let's make is something special, something that we'll remember. Do you want to go out somewhere fancy to eat?"

"How about we stay in, and eat something fancy?" he replied, nuzzling her face with his whiskery cheeks.

"Dirty!" She replied, pleased with his playful mood.

"Yes, yes it is," he continued to nuzzle her neck, and began nibbling her ears."

"You know that Thursday is Dicey's last night at the inn. I think we should invite her over for a nightcap, or something," Lorelai said.

"If that's what my lady wants, that's what my lady gets," he said.

"Wow, you're being agreeable," she replied, staring at him.

"What?" he asked, eyebrows drawn down in question.

" 'What?' What?," she said, smiling like the cat who just ate the canary.

"What do you know?" He asked.

"Whatever do you mean?" She smiled back slyly.

"Okay, you play tennis and have lunch with my old, um, college friend. I know you. You interrogated her until you could find something out. You're just dying to tease me about something. So, go ahead. Let me have it? What did I do?" He was getting a little edgy. "Did it have to do with a keg party? Did I throw up somewhere? Pee on something?"

Lorelai giggled, she loved teasing him. Of all the facets of Luke's personality, for some reason, embarrassed Luke was one of her favorites.

"I don't know about any keggers, or peeing," she laughed. "But go on, you keep guessing at all the embarrassing things that you've done, and I'll tell you when you're right."

"Just tell me," He nudged her cheek with his. "I'm tired, and need to get up early tomorrow. I'm not getting any younger, you know."

"Okay, so here's the thing." She whispered softly into his ear, almost touching her lips to him, "Miranda."

"Miranda?" he questioned. Then recognition hit. His face softened, then grew bright red. "What about…what did Dicey tell you?"

Lorelai wasn't sure about his reaction, so she proceeded more cautiously than she anticipated she would need to.

"She said that you 'carried a torch' for Miranda, who was beautiful and delightful, just like me," Lorelai smiled, knowing she had hit a nerve.

"I don't want to talk about Miranda," he said. "And, I didn't 'carry a torch' for anyone." He said, pulling down on each pant leg, squirming on the couch.

"Apparently you're carrying one right now," she said kissing him softly. They kissed again, this time he ran his tongue across her lips, coaxing her mouth open for a deeper, more intense experience.

"So is that what we're calling it now," he joked.

"Luke," she smiled knowingly. "What's up?" she asked giggling, glancing down at his lap.

"You know what's up," he said, kissing her again, pulling her into his warm embrace. "That obvious, huh?"

"What, that you've been so…responsive… lately." She gestured to the growing outline in his pants.

"Have I?" he murmured into her ear.

"Yes, just like last night." Suddenly, she recognized the common denominator.

Luke began to nuzzle her neck, kissing her cheeks, then her mouth again. Lorelai wondered how she would get to the bottom of this.

***

To be continued.