A/n: I apologize for letting this story fall through the cracks. Here is the last chapter. Hope yall have enjoyed it.
And in that moment, she realized it wasn't her boyfriend who was holding her back. No, it was herself. It was doubt: doubt that they could ever be the same…doubt that too much time had passed between them…doubt that she could find the right words to convey her feelings…doubt that he could never understand.
And an even stronger feeling she was trying to suppress: Fear…Fear that if she gave in, she'd lose him again…and fear that if she didn't, she would hurt him again.
But in the end, it was her fear that won out. As much as she wanted to be with Jess, she didn't want to hurt him anymore. Rory closed the distance between them and kissed Jess softly on the cheek. "I can't stay."
Rory watched as Jess shoved his hands in his pockets, trying to mask his anguish. Rory gave a heart felt smile before she left. On the way to the door, she called over her shoulder, "It was good to see you. I hope we cross paths again in the near future," giving him and herself hope that one day in their future, the timing would be right for them.