Rory sat at the bar seething. On any other day she would have been thrilled to be at the Dorsey Cocktail Bar. This was a lounge that was made for her. There were deep couches, bookshelves covering the walls, and a fireplace.
She checked her phone again, saw that the text messages were still undelivered, and tossed it down on the bar. She grabbed her martini, gulped it down, and gestured for another. While Rory waited for her drink she fished in her purse for a pen and paper. Then she started writing. It was something she knew she should have done long ago, before saying yes to Logan at her graduation party, or following him to Vegas for a trip, that he managed to turn into a working vacation.
Is there even such a thing as a working vacation, she thought angrily. Of course not. It's just an excuse your fiancee makes up when he forgets he had meetings.
She was so into her pro's and con's list that she didn't even register the gentleman that had sat down next to her.
Jess Mariano was exhausted.
He hated the touring that was required for his latest book release. He taken enough photos and signed enough books to last him until next year. Unfortunately, he had to get up and do it all again tomorrow.
Originally he had planned to order in, read for a while, and call it a night. Jess was on his way to his room when he decided to grab a drink in the Dorsey. When he stepped inside and caught sight of the brunette beauty sitting at the bar he knew he had made the right choice.
She was captivating. Her black cocktail dress hugged her in all the right places. Her hair was swept up and all he wanted to do was run his fingers along the column of her neck. As he continued his perusal of the woman he noted a rock on her finger so large he wondered how she was able to carry it around all day.
Jess resigned himself to the fact that it wasn't meant to be and ordered his drink. He tried to take in the bar, the other couples, the ambiance, but his gaze kept slipping over to the beautiful woman.
He watched her in fascination as she scribbled on her paper, oblivious to everything except what she was writing. He had never seen anyone so wrapped up in a task. He was dying to know what she was doing.
"Excuse me, but I have to know, what are you writing? I have never seen a person so engrossed in a project that they would allow a perfectly good martini go to waste."
Rory looked up startled. It took a moment for her to focus on the man speaking to her. Physically he was the polar opposite of her fiancee. He was dark and brooding with a head of messy hair and soulful brown eyes. He was dressed casually for the venue, but he still looked like he belonged, in his worn leather jacket and Doc Martens. Once she focused she couldn't believe who she was seeing. Rory felt like she knew this man. Then she realized why. She had felt as though he was a friend by the time she had finished reading his book.
As the woman stared, Jess started to feel uncomfortable. Maybe he shouldn't have interrupted her. She was busy, and more importantly, she was engaged.
"Sorry, I'd like to tell you, but then I would have to kill you", she replied as she turned back to her paper.
Jess was a bit taken aback by her response. Usually he knew when to cut his losses, but there was just something about her. He tried again. "Can I at least buy you a cold drink since you let this one go to waste?"
Without turning to him she grabbed the glass, downed the drink, and went back to writing.
"Why are you so interested in what I am doing?" She asked.
"Well, you are young, gorgeous, and in Vegas. Writing as though you life depended on it in a bar is not a normal activity." He decided to try charming her. "You know, I'm a writer. Maybe I can help."
Rory looked up into his smirking face and giggled. "Does that line usually work for you, Jess?"
He was surprised when she used his name. Before he could reply she continued. "Look, I know who you are, and under normal circumstances I would be dazzled, but right now, I'm having a crisis."
He leaned toward her eagerly. "I confess, I'm great in a crisis, and my reasoning skills are much better than my pick up lines."
She flashed him a heartfelt smile.
"Well, I suppose two heads are better than one…" she replied. "I think I need another drink to be able to talk about this."
"As you wish. I confess, I am at a disadvantage here. You know my name, and probably a lot more, and I know nothing about you. Should I refer to you as the mystery woman, or do you have a name?"
"Sorry about that. My name is Rory." she said with a shy smile.
They each got another drink and decided to move away from the bar. Jess didn't really want to be spotted. He was too interested in what the beautiful Rory had to say.
Rory settled into a deeply cushioned couch and took a fortifying sip of her drink. She angled herself toward Jess and prepared to tell her story.
For a moment she wondered why she was willing to spill this to a complete stranger. Usually she would call her mom, or Lane, or even Paris in a pinch. But today it didn't feel right. She wondered if it was because they knew her relationship with Logan wasn't right. She didn't want to hear the "I told you so's that were bound to come". At least with Jess he didn't know her or Logan. He was an unbiased party.
"You probably won't believe me, but I was making a pro and con list to help me decide if I should break up with my fiancee." Jess's head shot up in surprise. He hadn't expected that answer at all.
"I think the best way to deal with this story is for me to talk and you to listen. I need to get it out in one shot, so please hold your questions until the end." Jess nodded in agreement and she began.
"I met Logan my sophomore year at Yale. At first we didn't really like each other. As time went on we spent some time together. He helped me with an article for the paper and that's when things started to change. I started to change. Logan didn't believe in monogamy, and even though I did I tried to be casual to fit what he wanted, but it's not who I am."
She sighed and took another sip of her drink. Looking at the situation objectively it was easy to see how much she had changed herself to fit into his world.
"We finally began to date, and things seemed to be going well. Logan has always struggled with the expectations his family has put on him. When his family would pressure him it would end up causing trouble in our relationship. He has a habit of pushing me into things I'm not completely comfortable with. It's a cycle. They push him, he is unhappy. Then he pushes me, and I am unhappy. When we fight he tends to throw money at the problem instead of trying to fix the real issue."
The more she spoke to Jess the better she felt. It was starting to become clear.
"We have had some bumps over the past couple of years. We took a break. While we were on the break he slept around. He has been working in London for the past year. The distance doesn't help. But even more than the distance is the fact that we aren't really partners. He hides things from me. Like right now he is at a business meeting with his co worker Bobby. A tall, gorgeous, blond that could pass for a super model. I only found out yesterday when we had dinner together. How can we have a fulfilling life together if Logan can't even tell me that Bobby isn't a dude? He knew I would never guess that it was a woman."
She sighed and looked down at her ring. Rory realized in that instant that she couldn't stay with Logan. She calmly picked up her purse, fished out her wallet, and opened the change pocket. She dropped the ostentatious rock into her wallet and snapped it shut. She turned to Jess, "I've always hated that ring. It's not me. He should have known what I would like, right?"
Jess leaned forward and said, "You aren't flashy, you are classy and quirky. You probably would like a ring with some history."
Rory smiled up at him. She had known Jess all of 30 minutes and he got her better than Logan had after years.
"Do you think I am doing the right thing?", she knew she was making the right choice, but she also wanted some reassurance.
"Yes. I don't know the whole story, and I know that I have only heard your version, but from what you have said it wasn't healthy. People should grow and change together. They shouldn't have to change themselves to fit into someone's life."
Rory looked so relieved that Jess started to laugh. She scowled up at him, thinking he was making fun of her.
"Rory, you need to remember your worth. I could tell the minute I walked in here you weren't just another person in the bar. I could tell you were special."
She shook her head and replied, "I'm not special. I'm just another college grad, without a job, with tons of loans, and now no place to live." Her eyes widened. "What the hell am I going to do? I am trapped in Vegas with the guy I just decided to break up with. We are scheduled to leave on Monday. I can't stay in a hotel with him for 2 more nights. Man, I am in deep shit."
Jess was worried she would bolt. He put a hand on her knee in an attempt to calm her. She looked at him, her face a picture of complete panic. "Rory, don't worry. I'm sure you can get another room for the two nights, or you can change your flight to get home earlier. It's too late to worry about the flight, but I will make sure you get another room when we leave this bar. Does that sound like a plan?"
The fear on her face had started to subside and she nodded slowly. She wasn't ready to leave Jess. She wanted to find out more about him.
Rory flagged down a waitress and asked for a bottle of champagne. When it was delivered she turned to hand Jess a glass. He eyed it warily. He didn't have the best track record with the stuff.
"Come on Jess, I have decided to change me life tonight. I did it with the help of one of my favorite authors, and one of People's sexiest men. This occasion calls for champagne!"
Jess turned to Rory, held his glass up high, and toasted, "To new beginnings."
Rory went to clink her glass to his, but paused. Instead she toasted him in return. "To new books, new friends, and new beginnings."
Jess grinned at her and took a sip.