CHAPTER TWO

Driving home from Hartford was always one of Lorelai's favorite things to do, away from all of the bad, and home to all of the good. She thought about the unexpected turn of events that day. Trying to feel badly about her ploy with Luke and then her talk with her dad, but it wasn't happening. Working for Luke would be good for both of them. He needed more fun in his life. Nicole didn't look like she provided much. Lorelai needed to be in Stars Hollow and teasing Luke nightly had its own special appeal. Her dad had thought helping Luke would be a nice thing for her to do. (After telling him, that help was impossible to find in Stars Hollow.) He liked Luke so he hadn't given her much flak. She had arranged for a temp to take over the next day and he seemed pleased, half a brain, dad, half a brain.

Before heading to Luke's, she called Rory. God, she missed that girl. It was like a large part of her was missing. Rory was greatly surprised by the news-when she had finally stopped laughing. Rory bet she wouldn't last the night. Ha, little did she know. You will see, missy! Lorelai was determined.

"Hey, Luke. Ready for duty, sir." Lorelai walked in and saluted.

Luke shook his head. What had he gotten himself into? And how would he explain this to Nicole. Oh, well, Lorelai probably won't last the night anyway. We have a way of driving each other crazy-always over stupid stuff --- never about anything really important.

"Hey, ready for action? Strike that, ready for your first night of work?"

"Good save. And I am ready, willing and able."

"We'll see about that. What did you tell your dad? Little white lie, if I know you."

"Sort of, just told him good help is hard to find in our little burg. He likes you-words like solid, dependable and honest were thrown around. He says you are a man's man,"

"I really don't want to hear how you replied to that."

"Oh, the usual. That's the problem-"

"I said I don't need to know...... So come back here and we'll get you started."

"I've heard that one before. You men, you're all alike."

Luke and Lorelai had an interesting evening. Lorelai learned fast and enjoyed putting her own spin on things. Luke watched amused and thought that it might just work out after all. Most of Stars Hollow came in that night, for dinner, but mostly to watch the two of them. Secretly hoping that maybe they would finally figure it all out-what the town residents had been seeing for years. It was quite a show.

Luke walked to the door and flipped the sign to 'Closed'. Lorelai collapsed on a chair and pulled out a wad of bills. "Look, Luke. I think they liked me."

"They've always liked you. You're the town queen-with the princess in tow."

"You had to mention her, didn't you? I was too busy to think much about her all night. Now..."

"Sorry. She's good right? I think about her too. Wondering how she's doing away from us.........you.........Stars Hollow.........without him."

"She's great. Keeping busy, meeting new people, getting use to campus life....I hate it."

"I know. But she's growing up-getting on with life. Just like you're doing."

"But I'm not liking it."

"You will. You'll be fine. When you open the Inn...maybe meet a new guy...fall in love...."

"One out of that three maybe. You lucked out finding Nicole. I'll be an old maid with my inn and thirty cats-and I don't like cats. Oh well, at least Sookie will always have a babysitter, her friend who has no life of her own. Hope she has lots of kids."

"Lorelai, it won't be like that. You just have to be patient. Life will take care of the rest. You'll see. No cats, kids yes, but kids of your own, with some man that will learn to live with your insanity."

"Thanks, Luke, for those encouraging words. At least I think they were encouraging. Life kind of sucks right now. Not tonight, this was good." She gave him a long look. "How did Nicole take the news? She looked at him. "You forgot to mention it, right?"

"About Nicole, she's great and all but ...I don't know..... it isn't what it seems...."

"You're just a reluctant bachelor. It will all happen when the time is right. Meanwhile, we have your terrific diner and all these lovely dishes to do."

Luke, laughing, "Does that mean we'll be doing this again tomorrow?"

"Sure, unless you're taking the night off. There's a life out there you know. One of us should be enjoying it. And you actually have someone to enjoy it with. I'll be fine alone."

"I'll be here. There's life in here too, a pretty good one. You go on home. I'll finish up. Tomorrow you can have the honors. Now go"

"I guess I know when I'm not wanted. See ya tomorrow boss man." Loreali winked and scooted out the door.

"Goodnight, Lorelai." Luke needed some time alone, some time to think. But he did know, without any thought, that he wouldn't be taking off any nights soon. Life in the diner had just become very interesting and much more fun.

As Lorelai walked home, she thought of all her odd jobs, this one was definitely the best. And she couldn't wait to tell Rory that she had lost that bet!!!!