Fool for Love

By

Javakamp
Chapter 4: Trust Issues

Colin waited until the waiter remove his plate then asked, "So Lorelai, how long have you worked at the Inn?"

Lorelai appeared to think about it for a moment then said, "Well, I started there when I was sixteen, so I guess that would be eighteen years."

"Eighteen years," Colin replied in an impressed voice. "These days that's a long time to work in one place."

"Well, I wasn't always the General Manager."

"You weren't?" Colin said sounding appropriately impressed.

"No," Lorelai responded sounding appropriately dismissive. "I started out as a maid, and then I was housekeeping lead, followed by supervisor. After that, I was a reservation clerk for three years. Then I was concierge, followed by assistant manager, night manager, and then manager. Then six years ago the owner decided that she didn't want to be involved in the day to day running of the Inn, so she moved to California. That's when I became General Manager."

"Well, it sounds like you've done just about every job there is to do there," Colin replied. "You must really like working there."

"Oh, I do," Lorelai nodded. "I was real lucky to find something that I'm good at, and I enjoy."

"So, what's your favorite part," Colin asked sounding totally fascinated, "about running such a fabulous Inn?"

Before Lorelai could answer, the waiter showed up with the coffee. After the waiter filled the cups with the dark ambrosia, Lorelai answered, "Probably organizing and running the big events."

"What kind of events?"

"You know, big dinners and lunches for both business and social gatherings, and of course the weddings."

I can see why someone would want to have a wedding at your Inn," Colin said. "Do you get a lot?"

Lorelai picked up her coffee then replied, "At least one a month, sometimes more. Several times we've had three during the same weekend. Once we did four weddings in one weekend." After sipping the coffee Lorelai asked, "Do you realize that we've spent the entire dinner talking about me?"

Colin gave Lorelai an innocent smile that caused Lorelai another flutter in her stomach and asked, "We have?"

"Yes we have. And while I happen to be one of my favorite subjects," Lorelai answered, "why don't we talk about something else for a while?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"Oh I don't know," Lorelai replied. "Why don't we talk about… You!"

Colin shrugged and asked, "What would you like to know?"

"Have you ever been married?"

"Nope. Haven't found the right girl yet?"

"Where do you live?"

"Albany."

"And what brings you to my little corner of the world?"

"Well, after our previous fascinating discussions about you, I'm sure you'll find my little story very disappointing."

"I'll take that chance."

"Business," Colin answered. "I'm a senior account manager for a pipe manufacturing company In Albany. A regional bottling company is building a plant between here and Hartford. My company just got a huge contract to supply all the piping for the plant. This is the biggest contract my company has ever gotten, and we want things to run smoothly, so I'll be spending a lot of time on site, and at your Inn, to make sure that things run smoothly."

"Well," Lorelai batted her eyes, "I find that very fascinating."

"Really," Colin said sounding surprised.

"No, not really," Lorelai said with a teasing smile.

Colin smiled and said, "So I still find is amazing that you have an eighteen year old daughter. Tell me about her."

Lorelai smiled and said, "Boy are you in for an earful, because if there's one thing I like talking about more than me, its' Rory."
When they arrived back at the Inn, Colin parked his car next to Lorelai's Jeep. He turned to Lorelai and said, "Well here we are."

"Yes, here we are," Lorelai replied with a coy smile as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

They silently looked at each for a moment before he said, "I guess that we've reached that awkward point at the end date of every first date."

"You mean that point where you're afraid he might try and kiss you, but you're also afraid that he might not try and kiss you."

"Yeah, that's the part I'm talking about, except I generally don't worry if 'HE' is going to kiss me."

"And you're worried that he might try something," Lorelai said teasingly. "But you're also afraid he might not try…"

Colin leaned forward cutting off her babble with a kiss that she responded to eagerly. After a few seconds, he pulled back slightly and softly said, "I've been thinking about doing that for a week."

In a soft throaty voice Lorelai asked, "Was it as good as you expected?"

Colin raised his eyebrows and replied, "Better."

"Good answer." Lorelai leaned forward, placing her hand behind Colin's head and pulled his head forward until their lips met in a kiss that started gently but quickly built in intensity.

After a moment Lorelai reluctantly pulled back and said, "I should probably be going."

Colin sat back into his seat, and asked, "Why don't you come in for a drink? I have a mini-bar and an expense account."

Lorelai smiled at him and said, "That's very tempting, but I don't think that'd be a good idea."

Colin faked a hurt look and asked, "What, don't you think you can trust me?"

Lorelai shook her head and replied, "Actually it's more a matter of not being sure if I can trust myself."

Colin shrugged and said, "I'll take that as a complement."

Lorelai turned away from him and nodded, "You should."

"I have a dinner meeting tomorrow," Colin ventured, "But perhaps we could go out again the night after."

Lorelai looked disappointed and said, "No, Friday I have…" Lorelai paused before continuing, "Family commitments."

Colin nodded in understanding and said, "Well I'll be back next week, if you're interested."

Turning back to him Lorelai batted her eyes and said, "I think I can free up some time."