The next day, Luke had to physically restrain himself from calling her. He knew it was dumb, he was going to see her tonight anyway, but he couldn't keep his mind off the blue-eyed brunette with a blinding smile and concerning coffee-addiction. Especially after that goodbye she had given him.

Luke honestly hadn't thought he could be this eager for something again, not since he finished puberty. Not that he was expecting— Not that he thought she would— He just was eager to see her again.

That morning, the whole town knew something was up when he greeted every customer with a smile and a casual, "How can I help ya today?" He had whistled as he brought people their food, even going so far as adding in chocolate chips to every pancake and handing out free refills to anyone who had a cup.

The only thing that had soured his mood that morning was Kirk.

"Good morning, Luke," Kirk had said as he took a seat at the counter.

"Morning," Luke had responded with a nod.

"If I may ask, why are you acting so cheerful?"

Luke had set down his notepad and groaned. "Why is everybody asking me that? Can't I just have a good day every once and awhile?"

"Well yes," Kirk had said matter-a-factly, "but never when Lorelai isn't here."

Luke's ears had turned red, and his face was about to follow suit. He growled, "What." Kirk failed to notice his change in tone.

"Oh, I just mean that, historically speaking, you're only this chipper when Lorelai's around, usually when she flirts with you."

"Kirk, shut up," Luke had muttered, seizing upon the distraction of clearing plates to get away from that conversation. Kirk hadn't understood his obvious discomfort.

"Luke— we're men. We should be able to talk about these things. It's no secret that you and Lorelai have pent-up sexual tension, not to mention good chemistry. Everybody knows it. It's really a miracle you haven't just laid one one her already."

"Kirk, I'm begging you," Luke said with a weary glare.

"Actually," Kirk said, a hint of amusement creeping into his usual, emotionless tone, "judging by the hickey on your neck, it seems she might have taken the initiative."

Luke slammed the plates down on the counter so hard a chip broke off of one. He didn't notice. "KIRK," he shouted, but the man had already gotten up and left, finally noticing Luke's change in mood.

Luke's face had been bright red as he had raced up the stairs to his apartment, flung open the bathroom door, and checked his look in the mirror. Sure enough, a reddish bruise the size of a kiss marred the side of his neck. "Ah, jeez," he muttered, realizing the love mark had been on display for the entire diner to see ALL MORNING.

He shook his head and tried (unsuccessfully) to rid himself of secondhand embarrassment at the memory. Luke looked around his apartment and sighed. He still had an hour before he picked Lorelai up. At least now he could figure out what to wear.

He remembered fondly the first time Lorelai had seen him dressed up. He had gone to the bank and therefore worn a collared shirt. He hadn't had time to change before his shift at the diner, so he had just forsaken his usual flannel and suffered through the regular customers' astonished looks. The only reaction he hadn't minded was her's. She had complimented him sincerely, her eyes lingering on his. He remembered it well, and silently kicked himself at the memory, half-regretting not making a move earlier.

At least now, looking back at all the memories and compliments he had stockpiled, Luke had something to go on when dressing for their date. Luke pulled out the black turtleneck she had given him and matched it with some nice slacks. He considered wearing a button-down, but then he would have to decide whether or not to wear a tie, and he just didn't want to go through that.

Why was he stressing about this anyway, he wondered to himself as he walked to the bathroom, it was just a date! But, in his heart of hearts, Luke knew this was never "just a date".

As an afterthought, he shaved. He wanted to look his best, even if he felt like a schmutz doing it. This was for Lorelai; she deserved the best.

At 5:50, he pulled on his leather jacket and grabbed his keys. He spent the drive over psyching himself up.

Okay, this is no big deal. It's just a date. It'll be fine. She already knows me and likes me, so there's no pressure. No pressure at all.

Oh, who was he kidding?! There was TONS of pressure! This was Lorelai he was talking about, not some passing ship! He needed to do this right. Luke wasn't sure what he'd do if something went wrong.

Nope, he wasn't gonna think about that. All he needed to do for tonight was relax, have fun, and show her a good time. Dirty. God, he was spending too much time with her if he kept thinking that way. Luke grinned to himself. He couldn't wait to spend MORE time with her.

He pulled up in front of her house right at six. Luke caught glimpses of her and Rory's silhouettes in her bedroom window, and he smiled. She was still getting ready. Cute.

Luke climbed the porch steps and leaned against the wall of their house, opting to give Lorelai and extra ten minutes to get ready. He knew her well enough to not barge in at the agreed upon time, expecting her to be punctual. He loved how scattered she was sometimes. Really he loved everything about her, all the time.

WOAH there, he mentally reprimanded himself, One thing at a time. Take her on a date first, don't come on too strong.

He repeated this mantra over and over again until the ten minutes were up, and he gathered enough courage to ring the doorbell. The door was opened and Luke found Rory's smiling face on the other side of it.

"Why hello Luke," she said with a cheeky grin, "WHAT a surprise!"

"Hey Rory," he managed. He was suddenly a lot more nervous than he was a minute ago. "Is your mom ready?"

"JUST A MINUTE," the woman in question hollered from upstairs.

"Come on in," Rory invited.

Luke stepped into the familiar space and ran a hand through his hair. He couldn't remember if he had combed it or not. He hoped he had. Suddenly Luke heard footsteps rushing down the stairs, and he whipped his head up just in time to see Lorelai pause at the banister. Her gaze locked with his.

She looked beautiful. She was wearing a deep blue dress that fit like a glove, the neckline hugging her chest, the skirt fluttering around her legs. Her hair was done in wavy curls that framed her exquisite face. She was a goddess, a vision, the most beautiful human being he had ever seen. And yet she was looking at him as if he was all that and more.

She smiled at him, and his heart fluttered. "Hi," Lorelai said, making her way to the bottom of the stairs. Her eyes never left his face.

"Hi," Luke said, blinking too many times.

"You look.. nice. Really nice."

"You look... really nice too," Luke managed. They stood a few paces apart, neither one of them moving or looking anywhere but at the other.

"So," Luke said after a second, "we should go."

"Huh? Oh yeah!" Lorelai exclaimed, as if she had forgotten their date entirely, and had just been focused on him, "let me just grab my coat, and I'll be ready."

She and Luke both tried to go first to the doorway, sidestepped, and tried to let the other pass. He laughed nervously and she blushed at the awkwardness of the situation. When they finally managed to get to the door, Rory waved them off.

"Have a good time, you crazy kids!" She called after them, "I would say have her home by 10, but mom— I'm staying at Lane's tonight, remember? So see you tomorrow!"

Just like that, the door slammed, the two adults were left alone, and thus began their first date. Already, Luke couldn't wait for their second.