Chapter 4: Some Kind of Wonderful
Author: Gluglug
Spoiler Warning/Timing: Lazy Hazy/I Can't Get Started
Rating: PG
Summary: Luke comes over to make dinner for Lorelai and they watch a movie. There's one more chapter coming up..
Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls and all characters are property of The Dubba Dubba Dubba WB, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions and Amy Sherman- Palladino. They don't belong to me, just borrowing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- It was Friday night at 6:30. Lorelai stared at her closet, trying to figure out what to wear for her date/non date with Luke. I want to look sexy and casual but not too casual or too sexy She settled on what she called her "hippie chic" outfit - a white camisole under an embroidered peasant blouse with low rise jeans and red Converse mules.
As she fixed her hair and makeup, Lorelai reflected on their brief conversation in the diner that morning. Apparently the summer tourists had found Luke's diner and he was overrun. He made some remark about "feast or famine" and got her morning coffee and French toast. He did say to her on her way out, "See you tonight at 7." Not much to analyze there. It was probably better that he was busy, she wanted to save their alone time for tonight.
Luke sat in his truck outside Lorelai's house. He was wearing the same outfit he wore earlier that day - t-shirt, jeans, boots and a blue flannel shirt. He decided to ditch the baseball cap, to shake things up a little. He had a feeling things were going to be shaken up between him and Lorelai tonight. He grabbed the bag of groceries and exited his truck.
Lorelai heard the doorbell ring and came downstairs. She opened the door and saw Luke holding a grocery bag with a loaf of Italian bread sticking out. Hey, he's backwards baseball cap-less, he always looks cute that way.
"Hey, Luke, you're Mr. Punctual aren't you? Come in."
Luke crossed the threshold and took notice of Lorelai's outfit. She looks cute He was tongue tied. "Hey, Lorelai. um, do you want me to start cooking?"
"Sure, I'm hungry. Why don't we go into the kitchen and you can get started? I bought a bottle of white wine. Do you mind if I pour myself a glass while you cook?"
"It's your house. Do you mind if I have one, too?" Luke followed her into the kitchen and set the bag on the table.
"Not at all, just as long as you don't get drunk and ruin our dinner." Lorelai retrieved the bottle, a corkscrew and two wine glasses. She popped the cork and poured two glasses and put them on the kitchen table.
Lorelai started to remove the food from the bag. She studied the contents - spelt spaghetti, a prepackaged romaine and endive salad, a loaf of Italian bread, a garlic bulb, a small bottle of olive oil, various herbs and spices, breadcrumbs, ground turkey, a can of tomato paste and a pint of mango sorbet.
"Lorelai, please put the sorbet in the freezer, I don't want it to melt."
"Sorbet, Luke? You are aware this has sugar in it?"
"I bought it for you, but I might have some."
"You live on the edge, my friend."
Lorelai put the pint in the freezer. "So, you're gonna let me be your little kitchen helper?"
"So long as you follow my instructions, I'm taking over your kitchen for the next hour or so."
"I just love a man who takes charge. Luke, I thought you were making meatballs tonight, but all I see is turkey."
"Well, I don't eat red meat, you know. You've had turkey burgers? Well, I make turkey meatballs. The way I make 'em, you won't notice the difference. Hey, where are your pots and pans?"
Lorelai opened the cupboards and retrieved a skillet and two pots. She pointed out to Luke where all the cooking supplies were. "Luke, I've had your turkey burgers - no offense to you, I just don't think they taste the same."
"Lorelai, just try them, I promise you'll like them."
"Fine, I'll try it. But what's this spelt stuff?"
"It's a kind of grain, better than wheat, better for your digestion, and it tastes just as good as regular pasta. Apparently that Gwyneth what's-her- name eats this stuff. If it's good enough for her, maybe you'd like it."
"Paltrow? Since when do you read "In Style?"
"I don't. When Rachel was here, she mentioned she had read an article where Gwyneth said she eats it. I've been eating this for years. I'm thinking of serving it in the diner."
"Are you going to start replacing all the diner food with healthier substitutes? I'm gonna tell Taylor on you and he'll pass some sort of ordinance forbidding you from deceiving the customers!"
Luke started to chop some garlic and threw it into the pan with some olive oil. He put the turkey into a bowl and mixed in some spices, garlic and breadcrumbs. "Taylor can stuff it. I'm thinking of expanding the menu to add some healthy options. I'm not going to go all raw food on everyone, but I think I'd like to serve things I'd actually eat. There's gotta be a market for that in Stars Hollow."
"Luke, you run a diner. People don't eat there because they want health food. Maybe you should think about opening another restaurant, you know, Luke's Veggie Paradise."
"You know, that's my plan, eventually. I want to see how folks react to the menu and if the response is good, I'll expand. But I'll need a better name than that."
"Well, I can help you think of other names, if you want. Hey, we could have a contest - name Luke's new place and win a free dinner! I could help you with lots of ideas to drum up business. Of course you're gonna have to pay me to eat the food, but I'd help you."
"Thanks. Hey, can you fill the pot with water? Here comes your big chance to help me now."
Luke continued to prepare the dinner, while Lorelai drank her wine and talked his ear off about all the ways she tortured Michel the past week. She helped set the table and they sat down to eat.
Lorelai poured herself a second glass of wine. "I want to make a toast. Here's to our friendship, to all it has meant in the past and what it will mean in the future."
Luke smiled and raised his glass. "To us."
As she sipped her wine, she made brief eye contact with Luke and noticed something in his eyes that she had never noticed before -desire. It might have been the wine, but it certainly warmed her up.
They started to eat. To Luke's amazement, Lorelai cleaned her plate, even the salad.
"Oh, Luke, this was absolutely yummy. And the turkey balls - they tasted better than regular meatballs. Of course I stink like garlic now, so I could probably slay vampires with my breath, look out Buffy!"
Luke smiled at her with a smug expression. "The sorbet should help with the garlic. Hey, I'm glad you liked it. I knew you would eat your words. One day, Lorelai Gilmore, I'm going to turn you into a healthy eater."
"You're a man with a mission. You may be turning me into a turkey meatball lover, but you are never gonna get me to give up coffee."
"One step at a time - I will convert you one day, mark my words."
Yikes, he's getting, um, balls Lorelai drank her last sip of wine. "Hey, do you want the sorbet?"
"Sure, why not take it out of the freezer and let it thaw a little?" Lorelai went to the freezer and took out the pint. She could feel Luke's eyes on her.
Things are definitely thawing in here. Time for step #2 in the seduction of Luke plan
Luke followed Lorelai into the living room as she headed over to her video collection.
"Hey, Luke, do you want to watch a movie?"
"Let me guess - you want to show me some John Hughes film from the 80s."
"How did you know?"
"Lorelai, I see you almost every day. You and Rory are always quoting from 16 Candles or Ferris Bueller, or whatever. Most people speak English, you speak Hughesian."
"Am I that predictable? I'd like to think that I'm a little more complex than that."
"Oh, you're a very complex woman - I just know what you like. (pause) Hey, you can show me any movie except for "Pretty in Pink." Back in the day, my girlfriend dragged me to that and then dumped me the next day. I'm not sure why, but I always blame that movie for the demise of our relationship."
"Gee, I'm sorry Luke. Don't worry, you won't have to relive your trauma. Have you ever seen "Some Kind of Wonderful?"
"I've never seen that one. Is that like "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"? That's the only Hughes film I've ever really liked."
"No, it's kind of like "Pretty In Pink," but without Molly Ringwald and her offbeat fashion sense. I actually think it's a better movie, it's kind of underrated."
"OK, sure." Luke didn't really care what film they watched, just as long as he could sit on the couch next to Lorelai for a couple of hours in the dark.
Lorelai popped the video in her VCR. I hope Rory was right, I sure hope this works "I'll get the sorbet." She went to the kitchen and served the sorbet and returned two bowls, spoons and napkins. She noticed that the lights had been turned off, the glow of the TV provided the only light. She handed Luke his dessert and sat next to him on the couch. Not too close, but close enough.
"I turned off the lights, I hope you don't mind."
Who's seducing whom here? "That's fine. Luke, the movie's starting."
Lorelai soon lost herself in the story of the Amanda-Keith-Watts love triangle. Occasionally, she watched Luke's face out of the corner of her eye to see his reaction. He seemed to be watching intently. She did notice him shift uncomfortably whenever Watts got emotional about her unrequited love for Keith. Ah-ha, he's identifying
About an hour into the film, Lorelai broke the silence. "Here comes my favorite scene."
Luke looked at her. "What's so special about it?"
"You'll see, just watch."
Lorelai snuck glances at Luke as they watched the scene where Watts taught Keith how to kiss for his big date with Amanda. That scene always got to her - even though it was pretty chaste as far as love scenes go, it was one of her favorites. She noticed Luke smile a bit when it was over, but he said nothing. For the next half hour or so, they watched the rest of the movie in silence as Keith realized that his best friend was the right girl for him after all.
"You look good wearing my future."
"Wise men say only fools rush in but I can't help falling in love with you". As the credits rolled, Lorelai got off the couch and stretched her arms over her head, giving Luke a brief but good look at her midriff. She shut off the movie and hit the rewind button.
"So, Luke, what did you think of the movie?"
Author: Gluglug
Spoiler Warning/Timing: Lazy Hazy/I Can't Get Started
Rating: PG
Summary: Luke comes over to make dinner for Lorelai and they watch a movie. There's one more chapter coming up..
Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls and all characters are property of The Dubba Dubba Dubba WB, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions and Amy Sherman- Palladino. They don't belong to me, just borrowing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- It was Friday night at 6:30. Lorelai stared at her closet, trying to figure out what to wear for her date/non date with Luke. I want to look sexy and casual but not too casual or too sexy She settled on what she called her "hippie chic" outfit - a white camisole under an embroidered peasant blouse with low rise jeans and red Converse mules.
As she fixed her hair and makeup, Lorelai reflected on their brief conversation in the diner that morning. Apparently the summer tourists had found Luke's diner and he was overrun. He made some remark about "feast or famine" and got her morning coffee and French toast. He did say to her on her way out, "See you tonight at 7." Not much to analyze there. It was probably better that he was busy, she wanted to save their alone time for tonight.
Luke sat in his truck outside Lorelai's house. He was wearing the same outfit he wore earlier that day - t-shirt, jeans, boots and a blue flannel shirt. He decided to ditch the baseball cap, to shake things up a little. He had a feeling things were going to be shaken up between him and Lorelai tonight. He grabbed the bag of groceries and exited his truck.
Lorelai heard the doorbell ring and came downstairs. She opened the door and saw Luke holding a grocery bag with a loaf of Italian bread sticking out. Hey, he's backwards baseball cap-less, he always looks cute that way.
"Hey, Luke, you're Mr. Punctual aren't you? Come in."
Luke crossed the threshold and took notice of Lorelai's outfit. She looks cute He was tongue tied. "Hey, Lorelai. um, do you want me to start cooking?"
"Sure, I'm hungry. Why don't we go into the kitchen and you can get started? I bought a bottle of white wine. Do you mind if I pour myself a glass while you cook?"
"It's your house. Do you mind if I have one, too?" Luke followed her into the kitchen and set the bag on the table.
"Not at all, just as long as you don't get drunk and ruin our dinner." Lorelai retrieved the bottle, a corkscrew and two wine glasses. She popped the cork and poured two glasses and put them on the kitchen table.
Lorelai started to remove the food from the bag. She studied the contents - spelt spaghetti, a prepackaged romaine and endive salad, a loaf of Italian bread, a garlic bulb, a small bottle of olive oil, various herbs and spices, breadcrumbs, ground turkey, a can of tomato paste and a pint of mango sorbet.
"Lorelai, please put the sorbet in the freezer, I don't want it to melt."
"Sorbet, Luke? You are aware this has sugar in it?"
"I bought it for you, but I might have some."
"You live on the edge, my friend."
Lorelai put the pint in the freezer. "So, you're gonna let me be your little kitchen helper?"
"So long as you follow my instructions, I'm taking over your kitchen for the next hour or so."
"I just love a man who takes charge. Luke, I thought you were making meatballs tonight, but all I see is turkey."
"Well, I don't eat red meat, you know. You've had turkey burgers? Well, I make turkey meatballs. The way I make 'em, you won't notice the difference. Hey, where are your pots and pans?"
Lorelai opened the cupboards and retrieved a skillet and two pots. She pointed out to Luke where all the cooking supplies were. "Luke, I've had your turkey burgers - no offense to you, I just don't think they taste the same."
"Lorelai, just try them, I promise you'll like them."
"Fine, I'll try it. But what's this spelt stuff?"
"It's a kind of grain, better than wheat, better for your digestion, and it tastes just as good as regular pasta. Apparently that Gwyneth what's-her- name eats this stuff. If it's good enough for her, maybe you'd like it."
"Paltrow? Since when do you read "In Style?"
"I don't. When Rachel was here, she mentioned she had read an article where Gwyneth said she eats it. I've been eating this for years. I'm thinking of serving it in the diner."
"Are you going to start replacing all the diner food with healthier substitutes? I'm gonna tell Taylor on you and he'll pass some sort of ordinance forbidding you from deceiving the customers!"
Luke started to chop some garlic and threw it into the pan with some olive oil. He put the turkey into a bowl and mixed in some spices, garlic and breadcrumbs. "Taylor can stuff it. I'm thinking of expanding the menu to add some healthy options. I'm not going to go all raw food on everyone, but I think I'd like to serve things I'd actually eat. There's gotta be a market for that in Stars Hollow."
"Luke, you run a diner. People don't eat there because they want health food. Maybe you should think about opening another restaurant, you know, Luke's Veggie Paradise."
"You know, that's my plan, eventually. I want to see how folks react to the menu and if the response is good, I'll expand. But I'll need a better name than that."
"Well, I can help you think of other names, if you want. Hey, we could have a contest - name Luke's new place and win a free dinner! I could help you with lots of ideas to drum up business. Of course you're gonna have to pay me to eat the food, but I'd help you."
"Thanks. Hey, can you fill the pot with water? Here comes your big chance to help me now."
Luke continued to prepare the dinner, while Lorelai drank her wine and talked his ear off about all the ways she tortured Michel the past week. She helped set the table and they sat down to eat.
Lorelai poured herself a second glass of wine. "I want to make a toast. Here's to our friendship, to all it has meant in the past and what it will mean in the future."
Luke smiled and raised his glass. "To us."
As she sipped her wine, she made brief eye contact with Luke and noticed something in his eyes that she had never noticed before -desire. It might have been the wine, but it certainly warmed her up.
They started to eat. To Luke's amazement, Lorelai cleaned her plate, even the salad.
"Oh, Luke, this was absolutely yummy. And the turkey balls - they tasted better than regular meatballs. Of course I stink like garlic now, so I could probably slay vampires with my breath, look out Buffy!"
Luke smiled at her with a smug expression. "The sorbet should help with the garlic. Hey, I'm glad you liked it. I knew you would eat your words. One day, Lorelai Gilmore, I'm going to turn you into a healthy eater."
"You're a man with a mission. You may be turning me into a turkey meatball lover, but you are never gonna get me to give up coffee."
"One step at a time - I will convert you one day, mark my words."
Yikes, he's getting, um, balls Lorelai drank her last sip of wine. "Hey, do you want the sorbet?"
"Sure, why not take it out of the freezer and let it thaw a little?" Lorelai went to the freezer and took out the pint. She could feel Luke's eyes on her.
Things are definitely thawing in here. Time for step #2 in the seduction of Luke plan
Luke followed Lorelai into the living room as she headed over to her video collection.
"Hey, Luke, do you want to watch a movie?"
"Let me guess - you want to show me some John Hughes film from the 80s."
"How did you know?"
"Lorelai, I see you almost every day. You and Rory are always quoting from 16 Candles or Ferris Bueller, or whatever. Most people speak English, you speak Hughesian."
"Am I that predictable? I'd like to think that I'm a little more complex than that."
"Oh, you're a very complex woman - I just know what you like. (pause) Hey, you can show me any movie except for "Pretty in Pink." Back in the day, my girlfriend dragged me to that and then dumped me the next day. I'm not sure why, but I always blame that movie for the demise of our relationship."
"Gee, I'm sorry Luke. Don't worry, you won't have to relive your trauma. Have you ever seen "Some Kind of Wonderful?"
"I've never seen that one. Is that like "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"? That's the only Hughes film I've ever really liked."
"No, it's kind of like "Pretty In Pink," but without Molly Ringwald and her offbeat fashion sense. I actually think it's a better movie, it's kind of underrated."
"OK, sure." Luke didn't really care what film they watched, just as long as he could sit on the couch next to Lorelai for a couple of hours in the dark.
Lorelai popped the video in her VCR. I hope Rory was right, I sure hope this works "I'll get the sorbet." She went to the kitchen and served the sorbet and returned two bowls, spoons and napkins. She noticed that the lights had been turned off, the glow of the TV provided the only light. She handed Luke his dessert and sat next to him on the couch. Not too close, but close enough.
"I turned off the lights, I hope you don't mind."
Who's seducing whom here? "That's fine. Luke, the movie's starting."
Lorelai soon lost herself in the story of the Amanda-Keith-Watts love triangle. Occasionally, she watched Luke's face out of the corner of her eye to see his reaction. He seemed to be watching intently. She did notice him shift uncomfortably whenever Watts got emotional about her unrequited love for Keith. Ah-ha, he's identifying
About an hour into the film, Lorelai broke the silence. "Here comes my favorite scene."
Luke looked at her. "What's so special about it?"
"You'll see, just watch."
Lorelai snuck glances at Luke as they watched the scene where Watts taught Keith how to kiss for his big date with Amanda. That scene always got to her - even though it was pretty chaste as far as love scenes go, it was one of her favorites. She noticed Luke smile a bit when it was over, but he said nothing. For the next half hour or so, they watched the rest of the movie in silence as Keith realized that his best friend was the right girl for him after all.
"You look good wearing my future."
"Wise men say only fools rush in but I can't help falling in love with you". As the credits rolled, Lorelai got off the couch and stretched her arms over her head, giving Luke a brief but good look at her midriff. She shut off the movie and hit the rewind button.
"So, Luke, what did you think of the movie?"