CHAPTER NINE
Jess is putting his shirt back on again.
First it was the couch and then not so long after, it was her bedroom. Her bed.
Maybe I shouldn't even bother with putting my shirt back on?
We've got a lot of catching up to do.
"Why didn't we have sex?" Rory says to his reflection in the dresser mirror.
"We just did," he says.
"Shutup. I mean before this," she smiles and smooths her hair.
"In the living room? Or earlier at Luke's? That wasn't enough? Geez, Rory..." he says, smiling crookedly into the mirror, then looking down to refasten his belt.
She turns around.
"This. This is my withering stare. Quit it. You know what I mean," she says, stepping forward to punch him, not so lightly.
"Ow," he says, rubbing his arm.
Because you were too good for me. That's why.
"It wasn't like that, really. You know? Don't you agree?" he says, sitting back on her bed.
"Yeah, I guess," she says.
I wanted to.
"But you'd had sex with girls before. But not me," she says.
Because you were too good for me. That's why.
"I liked you too much," he says.
She tilts her head to get a better look at him.
"I did," he says, shrugging his shoulders.
"And now you don't like me at all..." she teases, plopping on the bed.
"That's it," he nods his head. Exaggerated. He puts his hand on her knee.
Warm.
"You're got me all figured out," he says.
"I do," she says.
I know what.
"Hey. Doose's is still open, right? Forgive me. It's been awhile," he says, holding his hands up in surrender.
"For abouuuut, ten more minutes. Why?"
"I gotta run and get something. Hang tight. I'll be back," he says, hopping up.
"Get what?" she says.
"Something," he says back, quickly kissing her forehead.
Footsteps and the back door opens and closes. Footsteps on the porch and she looks out the window to see his familiar gait going down the driveway. Across the road towards town.
I even love how he walks.
Something. What's something? Everything is so surprise-y with him today.
Email. I'll check my email.
She gets her laptop out of her bag and plugs it in and waits.
I love my bedroom.
She looks around at her stuff.
Gets up to look at some of her books.
I wonder what he's getting.
I wonder if we'll get married.
I wonder what Mom and Luke'll say.
Gilmore-Mariano.
Mmm pizza.
She goes out to the living room to find the leftover pizza on the coffee table.
She sits cross-legged on the couch and bites into a piece.
What's he getting? Candy? I hope it's candy. I wonder if it's candy.
Jess.
At Doose's, Jess sees the sunflowers and snatches them up.
Kit Kats. I should get Kit Kats. She loves those.
He goes to the candy aisle.
"Young man, we are closing very soon, are you ready?" Taylor's voice booms from behind him.
"Relax, Taylor...I'm done," Jess says.
"Jess? Long time no see," Taylor says.
Geez, that's almost a smile. Watch it, Taylor.
"Just these two and I'll be on my way," he says.
"Are these for Rory?" Taylor says.
"They are," Jess says.
"Excellent choices. Y'know, flowers and chocolates can be so overdone...but you can't really go wrong," Taylor says.
Jess nods.
Sure.
Taylor rings him up. Jess pays.
"Thanks," Jess says, producing a half-smile.
"Y'know, I don't think I've ever seen you smile before, Jess. Well, sure...you'd smirk when you were up to no good, but well...you know what I mean," Taylor says.
"I know what you mean. Yeah," Jess says.
"Welcome back to Stars Hollow," Taylor says, following Jess to the door so he can lock up.
"Well. Thanks," Jess says.
Taylor waves.
Jess waves back quickly.
It's safe. No one saw.
No good emails. Blah blah blah.
Rory logs in and begins the New York Times crossword puzzle.
She takes one more look out of the window and sees Jess walking back up the driveway, carrying a bouquet of sunflowers.
Aw. Good boy. Amazing boy. Sweet and precious adorable boy.
Jess comes in and hands them to her.
And the Kit Kats.
"Aw, Jess. That's so sweet," Rory says.
"Well, you're my favorite girl," he says.
"I am?" she says.
"You are," he says.
"Want some?" she asks, holding the candy out for him.
He takes it without saying anything.
But.
"Hey," he begins.
She's at the sink now, filling up a big glass jar with water for the flowers.
Whew. Okay.
His tummy flips once and then again.
I love that sound. And watching the water.
He walks to stand next to her at the sink.
"I love being here with you," he says.
"I love it too. I'm so glad you're here," she says.
Move in with me.
Let's get married.
Get pregnant. We could say it was on accident.
I want to smoke.
Maybe I shouldn't?
I want to.
You fucked me three times and I would've done anything for just once.
A kingdom for just a kiss.
Kiss me. Again.
He doesn't say anything.
But he does go back to the table to get the sunflowers wrapped in brown paper.
He does slip them into the jar of water and put them in the middle of the kitchen table.
Rory and Jess stand there just looking at each other.
Like something would crack and break if they spoke.
Like the trees would fall and the night sky would open up and the stars would go out.
Am I holding my breath?
Why am I holding my breath?
