Disclaimer: I don't own the story or characters featured in Gilmore Girls, however I have a fertile mind and a fan orphan heart.
A/N: Thank you so much for all your attention and for sticking with me. I will try to reply to all your amazing messages individually. This chapter is VERY important to the story because it changes everything completely. I must say I'm a bit nervous about posting it. I rewrote it a thousand times until I got close to what I wanted. I hope I succeeded. Please review and let me know how you feel about it. ❤
CHAPTER 7 – THE BET.
Rory walked into the room having second thoughts, but decided to go along. She'd never thought of herself as a coward, so she wouldn't back down now.
She stood still, watching Logan pacing around. The room was huge. There was a fridge and the television mounted high on the wall wasn't turned on. It was a beautiful comfy room, the only problem — There was only one bed.
"So what happened?" Logan asked, curious to know why she was there.
Rory sighed. "Amy is on a date."
"Oh. So you're homeless?" He smiled dejectedly, letting a little satisfaction leap from his lips.
"Yeah. Why do you have a huge room, only for yourself?" She asked, glancing around at the intimidating décor of the interior.
"I requested it." He naturally responded.
"So you could be free to bring someone here for a fun filled evening? Got it!"
He grinned to himself, slipping into a white shirt. "I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to." Rory said as Logan turned to her. She could still see his abs through his shirt. She forced her attention upward before he noticed she was staring.
"You can have the bed tonight." He said.
"Where are you going to sleep?" Rory bit her lip, she hadn't intended to kick him around his own room.
"I have the couch."
"No, Logan. That would be ridiculous. I'm the one trespassing your room in the middle of the night." Rory said firmly.
"It's not a big deal."
"No, we can share." She stated, resolutely.
Logan shrugged, nonplussed. "If you say so."
"There's just one more thing I need to ask of you."
"My liver?" He joked.
She pretended to be considering it as she cast her gaze toward him, saying. "Probably too damaged already."
Logan just grinned.
"I don't have any clothes. Can you borrow me some?" She muttered, feeling a hot warmth spreading across her face, reddening her cheeks.
Involuntarily, Logan scanned her body with a mix of curiosity and amazement. His eyes narrowed in sharpened interest on her face. Supposedly, he was assessing her size to decide what he should offer her, but she felt it was much more than that.
"I don't think I have any pants to fit your skinny ass." He said, playfully.
"I don't have skinny ass." Rory whined.
"Yes you do. But this isn't a criticism."
Once again, his words echoed in her ears. Was he hitting on her? She never knew for sure.
Logan walked to the wardrobe and picked up a shirt that he gladly offered her. She accepted it without looking at him again, and then walked into the bathroom.
She leaned against the door, her legs feeling wobbly beneath her. One thing was for sure, she told herself exasperatedly—if she didn't get her act together pretty soon she'd end up an emotional wreck.
Something was happening there and she felt pissed. Every time she thought of Logan, her heart pounded with anger. She couldn't forget what he had done, but at the same time the feeling softened in only a matter of time. She was comfortable next to him, they were easily getting along. She didn't want to be weak, she owed it to her old self, whom went through hell because of him.
She tried to nullify the thought as she pulled on his shirt, but it got much harder when his scent began to cling on her skin, like faint cologne mixed with a smell she could only describe as Logan's. It smelled like his presence.
She folded her clothes, arranging them carefully in a neat pile upon the bathroom basket, but letting her undergarments flutter in his domain just seemed too intimate. Besides, she didn't want him to know that she wasn't wearing any underwear. So, she hid them.
Walking out nervously, she wasn't sure how she could face Logan. And she felt exposed. Logan spared no glances when he saw her leaving, but this time he made no comments, on the contrary, he just turned to the side and closed his eyes.
Rory lay on the bed with her body tense. They were very alert about the proximity of their bodies, but neither dared to say anything. Rory was confused. She was there, sleeping in the same bed as Logan with her heart racing, but he didn't make a move on her as she would have expected. She didn't want him to, but his apparent lack of interest was equally disappointing. Suddenly Amy's words came back in short, sharply, gusting against her ears. Could he really be married? How could he be married? Apparently, nobody was looking for him.
She was racking her brain and getting more frustrated by the minute, and then eventually fell asleep.
Rory woke up and looked around, surprised to find herself alone in the bed, also surprised at how well she had slept. She felt calm and energized. It had been a good night. No denying that.
She scanned the room briefly, realizing that Logan was no longer there. The clock on the nightstand told her it was already time to get up and right next to it was a cup of coffee with a note.
Good morning, roomie. I hope you slept well. Here's a good incentive to get out of bed on this coldness.
Don't be too late. PS: Pink looks really good on you.
Rory's instincts melted away as she read the message, until she reached the final remark. She widened her eyes and ran to the bathroom to see where her clothes were. They looked in the same position, but she could tell that Logan had definitely touched them, becoming well aware of her pink underwear.
She flushed and smiled, swiping hints of wetness from her cheeks. She wasn't sure why she was smiling, but something hit her in the right place.
Rory walked down the stairs feeling oddly free — shorn of something more than happy. A few minutes later, she was already greeting people and discussing partnerships. She couldn't help noticing that Logan paced the hall with a woman dressed in a suit and with an athlete's body.
It bummed her out and some negative thoughts ran through her mind when she began to question whether that approach was personal or professional. He seemed very at ease, relaxed, and she wondered if perhaps they already knew each other. It made her tense and suspicious, as she didn't know if she could trust Logan as a business partner. As a person, she already had an idea.
Rory was still stuck in her thoughts, and then Logan approached her with his remarkable company.
There was an awkward silence between the two women while they exchanged a glance. The mysterious woman used the opportunity to introduce herself.
"Hi, I'm Lydia. I'm the organizer of the event." Then they spoke almost simultaneously and shook hands. "Nice to meet you."
Lydia was a middle-aged woman, probably in her early 40's. She was slim, and had short blonde hair that was straight but radically curled on the ends. People could tell Rory was uncomfortable by paying attention to them, such as how long they held their smile, a flicker of impatience.
Lydia looked at Logan, as if wondering who the beautiful blue-eyed brunette in front of him was. And by education, he introduced her. "This is Rory Gilmore."
The woman's eyes widened when he mentioned her name and stiffened. "Gilmore?"
"Yeah."
"I read your work. You're wonderful writer." She remarked brightly.
"Oh, thanks."
They fell in silence again. Rory's eyes veered up to Lydia's suggestive smile toward Logan. She always found herself in these sorts of situations when she was around him. It was ridiculous. He must be always sending out some kind of vibe that made women act like that. This kept happening while they talked, and Lydia shot another deep, suggestive look toward him: a slight smile, hiding something that was too obvious to keep hidden. Rory convinced herself that it was a problem, but she kept her posture proudly straight and she kept smiling with the courageous trust of a kitten when it sees a hand extended to play.
This wasn't going well. She politely excused herself and headed toward the next room, leaving the supposedly lovers alone. She would talk to him later, now she just needed to breathe.
At lunchtime, people were talking about the day's lectures, but Rory kept her head down. She was using so much force to cut her steak that people could hear the knife scratching on the plate.
"What's wrong?" Amy whispered carefully.
Rory didn't sketch any reaction. "Oh nothing. I'm just in a bad mood."
"Why?" She asked.
Rory remembered her, involuntarily flaring her nostrils "I don't want to talk now, Amy."
"It's because I occupied the room all night? Because I'm sorry."
"It's not that."
"So what it is?" She insisted.
"I really don't want to talk about it." Rory said with the sound of finality in her voice.
"Ok." Amy said, with a smile that told her that she had hurt her feelings.
Logan sent a few glances toward Rory, but he hadn't said anything yet. She looked like she would bite someone's head off.
Late in the afternoon Rory sat alone on the porch when Logan approached. Rory took a sharp intake of breath and her patience vanished before her heart could pass another beat.
He sat down beside her, speaking optimistically. "Great evolution today, huh? I think this lunch was a great help to offer us good material."
"Yes, it was." She answered coldly. Logan ignored her cutting tone and didn't take it personally, instead he kept talking. "So what do you think?"
Rory continued to save words by responding only the necessary, implying that the conversation was only professional. Her countenance was hard and she avoided his eyes. A confused expression appeared on his face as she continued to push him away.
Clueless, he dared to ask. "I'm sorry, did I miss something here?"
"Actually, I did." She stated, finally staring at him as if he knew what she was talking about. In front of her, a powerless, yet inexplicably quizzical face returned her exasperation with an intense gaze.
"Logan, we have to be honest with each other." She accusatorily suggested.
"Excuse me?" Logan asked, trying to be sure of what he had just heard.
Rory took another sharp breath, managing her voice. "Listen, I don't care what you do in your personal life, but since we're engaged to that, I'd appreciate it if you keep me updated on what's going on. You know, just the necessary."
"I'm really not following you here."
"Please, Logan. I don't have time to play games." She said pompously. Logan just looked at her for a moment and said casually.
"Wherever is the game you think I'm playing, I'd like you to explain it to me, so I can decide if it's fun enough." He sarcastically elucidated.
Rory crossed her arms over her chest, trying to convert seriousness to the conversation. "What's the deal between you and Lydia, Logan? I'd like to know before we start working with her."
"Hm, let me see. My deal with Lydia?" He rubbed his chin and pretended to be considering the matter seriously, then stated. "She wants to be my mommy."
Rory frowned. "Disgusting details are not necessary."
"No, Rory. She really wants to be my new mommy." Logan rose his eyebrows suggestively.
Then it sank on her incredulous brain that it was truly what it seemed, she was paralyzed, face first. "Oh Dear God."
"Yeah." He nodded, his face flashing disapproval.
"What happened to your Mother?" Asked Rory.
"She's still Ms. Huntzberger."
Rory shuddered. For a moment, she looked at him expecting to see the old boy she used to know. Of course, she could easily see the rich, playful, handsome playboy in his personality. But a few moments like these reminded her of who he was beyond that mask.
Involuntarily, she touched his hand and then retreated before he could hold onto hers.
"I'm sorry for… That." She said, rising quickly to her feet, recoiling from him inexplicably. He shook his head, even though she was, in truth, correct. His smile widened as he found a perverse enjoyment in her reaction.
"Oh, Logan. Don't forget to send the report to Don until the end of the day."
"What report?"
"The one he asked for by email."
"You are the one who should submit this report."
"I'm certainly not."
"That's what he said."
"You're definitely mistaken. I can't believe this, Logan. You really should pay more attention to this. It is very important. Our work here is very important. We have responsibilities."
"I paid attention and it said you are the one who should do it."
"No!"
"Fine, so let's head back to the room and use the computer."
"It must be somewhere here." She said as she searched her mail inbox in frustration.
Logan just watched her with his hands buried in his pockets. He had the air of a man fatigued and looked out of humor.
A few minutes passed and she was still at square one. Rory mortified at the likelihood that she was terribly mistaken. She side-glanced him with her nose in the air, feigning to ignore him. Her attitude wouldn't let him forget how stubborn she was, as well as proud.
Logan laughed inwardly, but kept his expression serious, then he mockingly suggested. "Maybe you should organize your folders better." To such a methodical person, her inbox felt like a mess.
Rory briefly looked at him and a relentless feeling flashed across her face. The moment she did, there was what she was looking for. Don didn't ask Logan for a report, he asked her.
She closed her eyes and lamented inside having to apologize after she had lectured him about responsibilities. He had proved her wrong and she hated to be wrong. Even more than that, she hated admitting it. It left her feeling as if she wasn't in complete control of a situation.
She turned to meet his face. He was making an annoying look of satisfaction, which made her prefer to bite her tongue than to say what he wanted to hear. She had no other choice though.
"So, I guess I should apologize to you." She suggested reluctantly.
Logan peered down at her, hating the distress he saw gathering in her eyes. He would rather he had done what she had wrongly accused him of, than see Rory looking so wretched with guilt. "Apologies accepted!"
"So I guess I should go." Rory hurried toward the door. She felt humiliated for making such a ridiculous accusation. She wanted to slink away and never be seen again. She wanted to disappear in a puff of smoke or fly out of the window to anywhere she could keep him at bay forever.
She moved to go through the door but he blocked her. His eyes were curious, little frowns between the brow, but he didn't ask why she'd done it yet. He just looked at her, letting a smug smile show how amused he supposedly felt. There was something about his face—about his way. Logan always seemed so calm. So completely in control of himself. Rory looked down and away, avoiding his eyes, then he finally asked.
"What's going on?" He questioned, a faint curve deepening the corners of his mouth.
His interest made her cringe inwardly. "I don't know, Logan. You're acting weird."
He laughed in disbelief and cocked his head, pointing at himself. "Are you sure I'm the one acting weird?"
"Ok, Logan. I was a baby and I'm sorry I accused you. Can we let this go now?" She suggested grudgingly, still trying to walk around him but he kept blocking her path. She sidestepped him to the left, and he easily blocked her again.
"Really, Logan? Are we really going to do this?" She widened her eyes.
"Just tell me what is happening then I'll let you out."
"I'm sorry, did you say you will let me out? What are you, five years old?" She groused.
"Look, let me clarify something for you. First, Lydia is here to help us. I'm not sleeping with her, I'm surely not interested in exchange fluids with my father. Second, I'm not interested in any other work partner either, even though you probably don't believe me. I'm not here to do that, if that's what's bothering you."
"You dated Amy." Rory remembered bitterly, her tight-lipped smile looked more like a grimace.
"It doesn't count." Logan said, dismissively.
"Of course it counts. You hurt her and now things are strange between you two."
Logan wore his mocking grin and cynic's smile, but his tireless brain, his constant energy, even his mocking grin were shaken by a certain nervousness when she mentioned the Amy subject, whatever she said to Rory, it could be a watershed. "Yeah, she looked very hurt last night. Get over it, Rory. Amy is a big girl."
"The point is, you keep doing this. How many women have you slept with in that room? You seem to know many of them." She folded her arms.
"Well, I've never slept with Amy or Lydia. Since I've never seen most women in that room, the only possible answer would be you. You're the only woman I did sleep with in here and the only one with whom I have something strange going on. Are you going to worry about that only woman?"
"I'm not worried. I just... Wait, are you suggesting that I'm jealous? I'm not jealous." She stated with anger leaking into her voice, as if she wanted to convince herself. The very idea was appalling to her pride.
His face was flat, his expression saying, 'I've seen this already'. "No, I'm not. But maybe you're caring too much. I'm not gonna screw this."
"I'm not caring. Do you think that much of yourself?" She chirped.
He didn't answer. He just stuck his hands into his pockets and stared back at her snuggly. "I think you are."
"Please, Logan. I don't care. Don't be ridiculous." She cackled, shaking her head.
He slowly walked toward her making her walk backward on pins and needles. Then he continued. "Yes, you do. You're shaky and torn up."
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"Why are you moving away?" He teased her.
She kept backing up as he moved forward. He cornered her against the wall, leaning in so close that she could feel the heat of his breath.
She was nervous, and said the first thing that came into her head. "Because, Logan. We are co-workers. I don't see why we should get this close." She said softly, unconvincingly.
He trapped her between his arms, ignoring what she had said. "Apparently you didn't feel that way yesterday when you slept in my bed."
She pushed his arm and stepped away from him because she couldn't think when he was that close. "That's different."
"I know you, Rory. As much as you hate it, I still know you. You're not that mysterious."
She laughed. A wry smile crept into the corner of her mouth. "Oh, so you walk in my life again for a few days and you think you've got me all figured out?"
"No, I'm just saying you're scared." He concluded with an annoyingly superior smile.
Rory folded her arms. "You really wish that, don't you?"
Once more, he didn't answer. He just grinned like he'd just been handed a check for a million dollars. That boyish grin. Leaving her infuriated.
"You know what? I don't even know why I'm listening to this."
"Do you really have to be that spiteful? And what's the problem if you really happen to like me? We can't be friends? You know there's something here. Can we just sit and talk about it?"
"No! We have nothing to talk about, Logan. I said I don't want to mix anything here. Besides, there is nothing between us anymore, it won't happen." She spat mandatorily, pointing her index finger in his direction.
"I wasn't going to suggest that, but since you mentioned it again, It seems like you've been thinking a lot about it, haven't you?"
"You're such a narcissist. This definitely had never crossed my mind." She stated, keeping a respectable distance from him although he noted with some satisfaction that her eyes lingered on his chest for longer than was respectable.
"Ok then." He sarcastically completed.
"I'm serious." She reassured him, feebly.
"I believe you." His cheek dimpled with his sarcastic smile.
He was driving her crazy with his easy nonchalance, his wicked humor. Frustration screamed through her. Yes, he'd kept their secret; he hadn't told a soul about their past. But he was no longer ignoring her. He was openly teasing her, pushing her buttons to the limit. He couldn't be so pretentious to think she would give in to his cheap charm.
"Do you wanna bet?" She asked, taking him aback.
He crinkled his nose at her sudden insinuation. "What?"
"I said – do you wanna bet?" She repeated, continuing. "Since you're so sure about my personal feelings for you, do you wanna bet that in six months I won't have changed my mind about you?"
"It depends on what you think of me now."
"I'm certainly not crazy about you, if you didn't notice." She remarked.
"Right, so let me see if I've got this straight. You want to bet me that you'll never have any kind of personal or sexual relationship with me again?" He replied incredulously.
"Yes. Don't you find yourself so irresistible?" She tested him back; certain she was giving him her message.
To her surprise, he didn't seem so worried. He just plastered his smug smile back on his face and asked. "How much?"
Rory glanced at him aloofly. "Excuse me?"
"How much do you wanna bet?" He questioned confidently.
Rory was speechless. He was unbelievable. She thought it was clear he would understand that as a debauchery, a figure of speech, showing how much his self-confidence was pathetic. It was supposed to make him embarrassed, not motivated to get into a real bet with her. She couldn't step back, it would sound like he was right and he definitely wasn't. She couldn't be wrong twice in one day. Now she took it as a matter of honor, so she replied bitterly. Annoyance leaking subtly into her voice.
"It depends; do you want to pay high as the size of your ego or so low according to your chances of winning?"
Logan wasn't intimidated. "I don't know, let me think — Dinner, a walk and a night in the Plaza. I'd say, six hundred bucks. Where is that amount in the scale you just mentioned?"
Rory frowned. "You will pay me."
Logan shrugged. "Let's see."
"Now get out of my way." Her face was so red she looked like she was about to explode.
Logan smiled and promptly leaned in to open the door. He held the doorknob gesturing in allusion to a mocking gentleness. She knew she would have to walk past him, then she put on airs, sure that he couldn't shake her, but as soon as she passed him, he bended and whispered into her ear.
"Bye, Ace."
She gazed at him with butterflies in her stomach. Her heart pulsed in a frantic rhythm and melted a bit. At this closeness, he must feel its vibration. She just stared at him, unable to form any words. His lips curved with just a little smile and — at that moment — she knew that she had engaged in a dangerous challenge.
Rory left his room speechless. Her legs were about to fail her. She thought she would never hear him calling her like that again. It wasn't fair, he played dirty. The effect of a single word on her justified his hope.
Logan held a victorious smile printed on his face. He couldn't stop the laugh that burst out. Rory was a freaking wreck, and he was sure that if she wasn't thinking of that before, she surely would be now. It wasn't funny, really, but... okay, yeah, it was funny. He was officially in the game and willing to win.
A/N: So what do you guys think? I really need to know. Not exactly what you expected, right? I promised I didn't want to make the story that obvious, a lot is going to happen until we get there. Who is going to lose that bet?
Unfortunately I need to warn you that I don't have the next chapter completely written, just a draft, which is good because you can give me suggestions, but on the other hand I probably won't update the story next week, because I am VERY busy these days. I've been trying to update it every Friday, but this week won't be possible. I promise I won't drop this story tought. At least we don't have cliffhangers this time. Am I a sweetheart or not? :)
