Thanks for the feedback!
Jess leans back in his chair, looking across at his uncle.
"How's the drink?"
"I ordered a simple cup of coffee and they got confused," Luke grumbles. "Typical New York!"
"I told you to ask for an Americano."
"Because coffee doesn't make sense?"
"They want to know if you want extra stuff in it."
"Typical New York," Luke says again. "Why'd I even come into the city?"
"To see your fantastic nephew."
"Jury's still out on that," Luke retorts but he grins at Jess. "It's good to see you."
"You too," Jess says sincerely. He had a meeting in Manhattan with editors that morning and Luke took Jess up on his offer of lunch afterwards. Jess knew Luke would act like this, suspicious of his sandwich and ranting about how fancy everything has to be here, but it's no big deal. In a strange way Jess miss Luke's rants. He relaxes as Jess changes the subject to Stars Hollow, talking proudly about the diner and the renovation of Lorelai's house being completed, remarking that he could have done half the work Lorelai paid for. Jess smirks, recalling the time Luke handed him a hammer to smash the wall in the apartment they shared, but doesn't comment on it.
"Oh, sure," he says, sipping his drink and Luke says diplomatically, "Those guys did a good job though, I'll give them that. You get used to them being there."
"You miss them?"
"No, I don't miss them!" Luke exclaims. "I'm just saying that I got used to seeing them every day."
"Right."
"That's all. Lorelai's the one who misses them."
"Got it. Hey, how are the wedding plans coming along?"
"Good," Luke says but his demeanour changes at the question. Slightly puzzled, Jess opens his mouth to ask more but Luke quickly says, "It's great having Rory around more."
"I bet."
"She was around anyway but she was spending more time with her grandmother. It was definitely weirding out Lorelai…they never actually fought, far as I could tell, but it was off between them. They seem to have figured it out and now Rory's there practically every other day. I missed her."
"That's great." Now it's Jess's turn to feel uncomfortable. He takes a sip of coffee, wanting to ask more and not wanting to at the same time and then coughs as Luke says, "Seems to be on the outs with her boyfriend."
Jess coughs three more times, taking a long drink from his water glass before wiping his eyes.
"She split up with Logan?"
"You okay there?" Luke asks, amused, and Jess says impatiently, "I'm fine. So Logan's out of the picture?"
"As far as I know," Luke says honestly. "But they've been off and on before. I never know if we're supposed to like this guy or not – his relationship with Rory changes so much I can hardly keep up. Not that I want to, it's just that one minute Lorelai hates him and the next she's saying we should give him a chance. It's exhausting."
"What happened?" Jess asks, trying not to sound too frustrated, fighting it even more as Luke simply shrugs.
"I don't know, Jess. All I know is that Rory had some kind of fight with him and they haven't seen each other since."
So Rory didn't tell Lorelai or Luke about him being there. Jess is a little hurt by that, although he figures Rory had no reason to tell them. Was she freaking out or was it because she doesn't want to deal? The latter, most likely. Possibly both. Takes a runner to know one. Maybe he's deluding himself but Jess doesn't think it's because Rory doesn't care. She cares, the question is the nature of it. Jess isn't sure which way it's going to go.
"Huh."
Luke looks at Jess expectantly but Jess changes the subject to Lorelai and how she's doing. For some reason, that causes Luke to go monosyllabic – well, moreso than usual – and Jess perplexed yet relieved. He's not that interested in how hyped up Stars Hollow is over upcoming nuptials. Going by the events Jess had the joy of experiencing, the town will go all out. The two men finish their drinks and simultaneously push back their chairs to get up.
"You want to check out some museums?"
The expression on Luke's face almost makes Jess laugh out loud.
"Are you serious?"
"No, just wanted to see what you'd say to that."
"I helped Taylor set up a museum in Stars Hollow and that was enough of the arts for me."
"I bet."
They chuckle and then Jess asks seriously, "You'll come to Truncheon's opening though, right?"
"Jess, I wouldn't miss it," Luke says sincerely and Jess relaxes, not realising he was holding his breath. It's not for several more weeks but Jess wanted to invite Luke as soon as possible. He didn't know he minded so much about Luke being there. "I'm very proud of you."
"Thanks," Jess says. It sounds too small a word but Luke grins, giving Jess a quick pat on the shoulder as he pulls him into a hug. As they resume walking Jess's mind wanders to Rory, how she'd love to go to the museums here and how he wishes they could've afforded to go when they lived here. He wants to invite her to Truncheon and part of Jess is afraid she won't go.
"How's everything going at the diner?" Jess asks, not wanting to linger on that, and Luke shrugs. Normally he likes to complain about customers but this time he just says it's all fine, not even bothering to complain about Kirk. He seems stressed, giving one word answers when Jess asks anything about Stars Hollow and finally Jess stops and says, "Luke, what's up?"
"Nothing."
"You're not being exactly chatty."
"And I'm so famous for that," Luke jokes. "It's nothing, Jess. I'm just tired."
"Fine," Jess says, giving up. Maybe it's to do with the wedding. Luke's seemed freaked ever since Jess mentioned it. Jess is a little surprised – his uncle's had a ridiculous love for Lorelai even since Jess moved in, and probably long before that too – but maybe it's cold feet. The exact opposite to Liz, Jess thinks wryly. He's hardly an expert on wedding nerves, but can understand Luke being freaked. Dropping it, Jess tells Luke some more about Truncheon and his uncle brightens up, asking questions. Jess knows it's all alien to Luke and appreciates the interest, and, as the two approach where they'll part, Jess says, "Luke, I know this Truncheon stuff isn't your thing. It's no big deal if you don't want to come."
"It is a big deal," Luke says seriously, putting his hands on Jess's shoulders. "I said I wouldn't miss it and I won't. I want to go."
"Even though you hate museums?"
"It's not my thing but it's yours, and I'm proud of you. I want to see what you've created."
Jess smiles, unsure how to thank him, but Luke answers for both by giving his nephew another tight hug.
"It's good to see you."
"You too."
"You sure you don't want to come for Thanksgiving?"
"I've already agreed to do a dinner with Chris and Matthew," Jess says. It still feels strange to know his friends really want him there. "Thanks, though."
"I'm glad you've got plans," Luke says warmly. "Not that I don't want you to come, but –"
"I know what you mean," Jess says quickly. "I'm good. Thanks for braving New York."
"The whole place is putrid – all the smells you can't identify and the ones you can are worse!"
Jess nods, amused, and Luke angrily continues, "The whole city is a failed experiment – too many people, too much decay and not enough land. I don't mind an urban environment but you need space and air and this place has neither!"
Luke lets out an angry breath and Jess chuckles.
"You done?"
"For now. I'll spare you the rest."
"I'm grateful."
"I don't understand this place," Luke says, shaking his head, "but it's almost worth it seeing you."
"Only almost?" Jess teases. "See you, Luke."
"See you, Jess. I'll call you at Thanksgiving."
"You don't have to."
"I want to," Luke says sternly and Jess nods.
"You can tell me about the row over Lorelai bringing you flowers goes."
"Who says there'll be a fight?" Luke teases. He seems so happy that Jess figures everything must be going okay with Lorela after all. He won't tell Luke but he's looking forward to his call, and suspects his uncle feels the same.
They give each other a kind of wave and then Luke is gone, heading into his truck and driving off with a few angry sounds of the horn at other cars. Jess pauses, watching him awkwardly merge into the traffic, and then turns back. He's got time to hang out in the city now – his work is done for the day – but Jess isn't sure where to go. At first he'd planned to go to the museums he teased Luke with visiting, but suddenly Jess doesn't want to. All he can think about is how much he'd rather go with Rory. She's not here, she hasn't called him and he's not calling her. Jess didn't call Rory because she's figuring things out but it sounds like maybe she has. He hopes she's okay. Jess sticks his hands in his pockets, thinking, and then before changing his mind walks down to the subway. He rides it all the way back to the old neighbourhood. Emerging from the steps, Jess takes the turning and there it is, their old street. His breath catches in his throat. Slowly, Jess starts to walk down, his heart beginning to beat faster. He hasn't walked down here since he moved out more than a year ago. It looks the same but it doesn't. There's the café Rory worked out, looking even more desolate than Jess remembers. Everything seems faded. Jess can see their building at the end and there it is, the window he and Rory used to stare out of. Someone else lives there now. Jess looks at it and stops abruptly, turning around. This was a mistake. He shouldn't have come down here. Emotions are beating through him, his heart traitorous and throat tight. Jess's breath is getting shorter and it's not until he's at the start of the street again that it begins to sound normal. He's an idiot. What made him think it would be a good idea on any level to see the place again? Bitterly, Jess kicks a stone out the way. He might have created a new life for himself but now all he can think of is what he lost.
Jess drives out of New York as fast as he can, done with the entire city. He's relieved his roommates aren't here and downs a large glass of water before grabbing a beer, still feeling off-kilter as he goes into his bedroom and shutting the door. He starts feeling calmer. Kicking off his shoes, Jess drinks some beer and lifts up the invitations. The moment he printed them, he wrote one for Rory and put it aside. He didn't tell Chris and Matthew. He picks hers up, running his fingers across her name. He wants to call her so badly it's a physical ache. Jess resists it. For all he knows she and Logan will already be back together and Jess doesn't think he can bear hearing about that. This is her stuff. This is Rory's call, but Jess still smiles, imagining her being here. He hopes Rory will come, and Jess's happiness fades a little. She might not. She might come but only as a friend. He'll send the invitation and then it's undecided, which way it'll go. Jess wants her to be there no matter what, he couldn't have done this without her. She's the reason. Rory's the reason and Jess can feel his love for her helplessly flow through him. Jess closes his eyes, suspecting it never truly stopped. This moment with Rory is hanging in the balance and all Jess can do is wait.