Chapter 14 – It's all good and I can get free coffee
Rory's POV
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Gilmore Girls or any book or author references. I don't think there are any in this chapter, but saying that can't hurt.
A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this up. I'm starting a new fic now and I have some good (I hope) ideas for it; it'll be up soon but I want to try to finish posting this one first. There are still several more chapters to go. There's not much excitement in this chapter, but it's gonna get better. So, on with the story, and once again, please review!! ~Arianna
I got home that night, happier than any time I could remember. I kissed Jess, and then hurried inside.
"Mom!" I said.
"What is it, Rory? You had a good time with Jess?"
My eyes sparkled. "Yeah, it was great!"
She came over, looking at me suspiciously. "Why?" As much as I had convinced her that Jess wouldn't do anything to me, I knew she still didn't entirely trust him.
"Mom. It's not anything bad! Jess…Jess told me he loved me."
She smiled. "Rory, that's great! Did you…"
"Yeah, I said I loved him."
"Guess you learned, huh?" Then she realized what she'd said. "Oh Rory, I'm sorry!"
"It's okay."
"It's just…I don't know. It took you so long with Dean…"
"With Jess…it felt right. I just knew I meant it…it was amazing. I've never felt like that."
"I know," my mom said softly.
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, you have nothing to be sorry for!"
"I know you don't really like Jess."
"I will. You love him; I have to like him. Be happy. You've got a guy you really care about who loves you back, not to mention an opportunity for free coffee!"
I grinned. "Okay. I am. Really happy."
Jess had to work the next afternoon, so I went to the Inn to see what was going on.
"Hi Rory," my mom called. "I'll be over in a second; I have to talk to Sookie."
"Okay!" I called back. "Hi, Michel."
"Don't you have to meet your boyfriend?"
"He's working," I explained.
"You could help him work," Michel suggested hopefully.
"Actually, that's okay," I said. "I'd better go talk to my mom."
"Don't worry, you can stay over there for as long as you want." That's Michel for you.
"Hey mom," I said, walking up to her as she left the kitchen.
"Hey, Ror. I have some bad news…"
"Really? What is it?"
"You know the literacy dinner?"
"Uh huh." Please don't let it be canceled.
"And it happened because of Jackson's friend."
"Right."
"Well, Jackson has to be out of town on the weekend we were planning it on. He insists he has to be there, so it has to be postponed." She sighed.
"Just postponed, right? Not canceled."
"Yeah, of course. Why so worried?"
"It's nothing…last night, Jess asked me to go with him." I smiled.
"Awwww."
"Mom."
"No, really." Mom looked at me. "I would never have expected Jess to say he loved anyone…but he really does love you."
"How do you know?"
"Rory, everyone's known, ever since Jess met you." I put my face in my hands. "What is it?"
"Watching me with Dean…talking to him about it…he comforted me when I broke up with him! That must have hurt Jess so much…"
"You know what? I don't think he minds. Why don't you go tell him that the dinner is rescheduled for next Saturday?"
"He's working…"
"I'm sure Luke will give him a break. Go on."
"Thanks," I said. "See ya later!" I got my books and went to Luke's. Jess grinned when he saw me come in, and leaned over the counter and kissed me.
"Hey," I said.
"Luke!" Jess yelled, turning around, "Can I go on break?"
"Now!"
"Yeah, why not, I'll be back."
"Fine!"
Jess put his arm around me. "You wanna talk about anything?"
"Sort of. See, remember you asked me to go with you to the literacy dinner?"
"Yeah." Jess turned to face me. "Why?"
"Jackson's gonna be out of town that Saturday, and he says he has to be there. So it's rescheduled for next Saturday. I'm sorry. I—"
"It's not your fault." He pulled me closer. "You can still go, can't you?"
"Of course."
"So will you go with me?" He smiled. I kissed him again.
"I'd love to. You'd better get back to work. Luke's gonna come out here looking for you."
"You're right."
"Bye, Jess!"
"See ya, Rory!"
Being around Jess always made me excited and happy, made me want to see him again as soon as possible. I loved the way I knew I could tell him anything. I couldn't wait for next Saturday. And I honestly didn't care what anyone thought of me being with Jess. Not anymore. Maybe, maybe I never really had.
