Chapter Eleven
Lorelai took the steps slowly, reasoning with herself about Rory and the job. The more she thought, the more sense it made. Rory would get some real work experience and there was always the chance she might make some new friends. That's what she needed - - something to keep her busy and take her mind off Dean. Dean would be around town all summer and part of that time would be spent working at the Dragonfly. If Rory were in town, they would be thrown together all of the time. Right now, there needed to be a distance there.
Collapsing on the bed, Lorelai turned her thoughts to last night and this morning. She couldn't remember ever being so happy or content or satisfied. What ever it was that she was feeling right now, she hoped she would feel that way forever. Wow, forever. She had never thought of any of the men in her life as forever type guys. Chris, for a while, but that didn't happen. Max sort of, but she had screwed that one up. But that was exactly what Luke was – a forever type guy. He had always been there and he probably always would. She changed into shorts and a tee shirt and went downstairs to make some coffee. Just as she sat down, the phone rang.
"Hey, mom. On my way to Hartford. Just reporting in....the smile...very prominently displayed on said man's face. Gotta go. I'll call later with the yes or no."
"Thanks, hon. Good luck. And thanks for the info."
Lorelai caught her reflection in the toaster. Damn, there was a stupid grin on her face.
The phone rang again.
"Heeello."
"Did I ever tell you that I love the way you draw out your words like that?"
"Why, no you haven't. And if that's a line to get me back in your bed mister.....well, it just might work."
"Lorelai, we're on the phone."
"Luke, do you have a party line? Is someone standing next to you listening?"
"No, of course not."
"Then I'll talk dirty to my man if I want to."
"Your man?"
"Yep"
"Sounds good."
"So, you know it is eight o'clock in the morning? And this is Lorelai Gilmore you are talking to?"
"Yep, that's the number I dialed."
"So, what couldn't wait until a civilized hour?"
"Seeing you again."
"Oh, well, then eight o'clock is quite all right. What did you have in mind?"
"Tonight. casual dinner and a movie?"
"Sounds good to me, but we probably could never agree on a movie."
"It's called compromise."
"Ahh, that's nice Luke. I get to pick."
"Compromise: the art of two people with different ideas coming to an agreeable conclusion."
Lorelai replied, "Baseball movie with romance on the side?"
"I like the way you think."
"I'm not sure I like compromise."
"You'll adjust. So I'll pick you up at six. Six sharp."
"See you at six fifteen. Bye."
They both hung up laughing.
Lorelai spent most of her day reading the comment cards collected from the guests during the run-through weekend. Most of the guests had written that they would recommend the Dragonfly to their friends, and very few had written any type of criticism.
Lorelai took a late afternoon bubble bath and then dressed for her date with Luke. She walked by the mirror and thought he might like what he saw. They were her tightest jeans after all She brushed her hair into loose curls – Luke had mentioned that he loved it that way. Actually, he had said something about loose and wild, and Lorelai had taken offense. But he assured her she wasn't loose, just wild. And then he had kissed her, and she had lost all train of thought. She bound down the steps and almost ran into Rory coming in the door.
"Hey, so are you employed?"
"I am if I want to be."
"Huh?"
"They offered me the job - for two summers actually."
"So why the face?"
"Well, if I agree to both summers, than they want me to attend a two week seminar. It's at Harvard and it sounds pretty intense. But its two weeks away and I just got back."
"And?"
"I'm going. During the drive home, I made the pro/con list and the pros won."
"And you're not running away from your problems?"
"Nope, just providing a little space."
Lorelai looked at her daughter and smiled. "Well, welcome to the world of the gainfully employed." And then she added, "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you.....but it's just two weeks."
The door bell rang and startled both of them.
Rory answered the door, and let Luke in. "So where are you two off to?"
Lorelai piped up, "Dinner, and some athletic movie Luke wants to see."
"That's not true. It's a baseball movie, and there's a romantic side. I think."
Lorelai winked at Rory. "Probably between the short stop and the catcher. Or maybe between a player and his own anatomy." She looked at Luke, "I've seen a game or two in my time. Seems they spend a lot of time touching things that they would get arrested for if they did it on the street. And don't get me started on the spitting."
Luke looked at Rory. "I think it's going to be a long night. Don't wait up."
"I wasn't planning to. I'm spending the night with Lane and the band boys. Don't get me started on how disgusting those guys can be."
"I'll see you in the morning then. The next two days, all ours. The Gilmore Girls, visiting the mall near you."
"And movie night? We haven't had a serious one in ages."
"Movie night it is. And no icky boys." Lorelai looked at Luke and he rolled his eyes.
"Night Rory. Have fun at Lanes." Luke was pushing Lorelai out the door.
"Night kids. Play safe now."
As she shut the door, she heard Luke's "ah, geez, Lorelai" and then her mother giggling.
Luke and Lorelai headed toward the theatres out by the mall. It was foreign territory for Luke so Lorelai suggested a small cozy restaurant she knew. They had huge overstuffed sandwiches and shared a bowl of fruit, although Lorelai really would have rather had the chili cheese fries. Taking their seats early, they had some quiet time to talk. Luke draped his arm around her and was surprised when she made the arm rest between them disappear. She wrapped her arm across his chest and sighed.
"Ok, so what's up?"
"Nothing, just happy to be with you."
"Nice try, but no cigar. We may be new to this dating thing, but the friendship thing has been going on forever."
"One word, Rory."
"She seems ok to me."
"She does seem to be fine. I'm proud of her really. She's dealing with it and well, today..."
"Today she.."
"Today she took a summer job in Hartford. And they're sending her off for two weeks."
"That sounds good. Unless she's running away from things."
"Not running, just providing a little space."
"Lorelai, that sounds pretty level headed to me. Give it a chance."
"I know but she just got home."
"She'll be back before you know it. And I promise to help you pass the time. You have the inn to keep you busy during the day."
"And you for the nights?"
"Yep, it's a dirty job but someone has to do it."
"How dirty?"
The lights went down and before they knew it they were absorbed in the movie.
Lorelai wiped a tear from her eye as she walked out of the theatre. Luke nudged her and teased her about crying at a baseball movie. She laughed because it really wasn't a baseball movie at all. It was a romantic love story and the guy just happened to be a baseball player.
"Kirk told me you would love it."
"You took advice from Kirk? That's more surprising than you taking me to a movie."
"Hey, I told you I could be a movie guy. And besides, Kirk told me after Lulu saw this movie....well, it turned into a very interesting evening for them."
"So you were just trying to get lucky?"
"No, actually, I was trying to make some brownie points. I want to take a couple days off and go fishing. I'd invite you along but you'd be bored."
"You didn't have to resort to bribery Luke. I'm spending the next few days with Rory. Shopping, eating greasy gooey things, gossiping -- all the things you hate."
"Fishing sounds better."
"Whatever."
Luke helped her into the truck and they headed back to Stars Hollow. She settled in her usual position, hand on his thigh, and head on his shoulder. How quickly they had fallen into certain patterns.
Luke spoke breaking the comfortable silence. "Coffee?"
"Yes, please."
He pulled into his usual parking space. They got to the door of the diner just as Caesar was locking it. Rory and Lane were standing there with two huge bags of take out. Lorelai talked to the girls for a few minutes while Luke talked to Caesar. Then she went inside and sat down at the counter. She watched Luke talk to the girls. Lane walked away but Luke and Rory continued to talk. Lorelai watched him smile at her and then gently touch her arm. It was usually the three of them together. She wasn't used to being on the outside looking in. But she was glad she had witnessed it. They really did have a special bond.
Luke finally came in. "So coffee?"
Lorelai shook her head 'no'.
"Pie?"
Lorelai shook her head 'no'.
"Cake?"
Again a 'no'.
"The ice cream shoppe is closed, so that only leaves," Luke smiled and pointed to himself.
Lorelai emphatically shook her head yes.
Luke laughed, walked over to check the lock on the door and switch the light off. He grabbed her hand and they went up to his apartment.
This night was the opposite of the night before. They practically ripped each others clothes off, throwing them all over the small apartment. Luke gently but firmly pushed her down on the bed. He held her arms up over her head, and took her fast and furiously. She loved every minute of his dominance. Afterwards, he rolled off of her, both of them hot and sweaty. When their breathing finally regained its normal rhythm, Lorelai asked, "What was that?"
Luke shook his head. "I'm not sure."
But then he added. "I lied. Lorelai, there is another side to me."
"So I noticed."
"The possessive side. Us tonight... that was me staking my claim. I've watched for years the guys parade through your life. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled they were too stupid to see how great you are. But every time one of those jerks hurt you, it hurt me too. I was always there to pick up the pieces. And I was happy to do it. But now I'm finally the guy....and I don't want to turn into one of those jerks."
"You could never be a jerk my friend."
"Tonight I was king of the jungle, beating my chest, howling at the moon."
"Luke....I loved every second."
"I didn't hurt you or...."
"Luke....I loved every domineering second. I'm surprised you couldn't tell."
"Well, there was a minute there when I thought you might be mildly enjoying it."
She laughed and cuddled close to him and they fell asleep in Luke's tiny little bed.
They awoke once during the night and made soft, gentle, sleepy love. Then they fell back asleep. Lorelai woke up to bright morning light and the aroma of Luke's special coffee. He was standing beside the bed with a huge mug.
"Good morning, sleepy head."
"Good morning. And thank you." She took the mug from his hand.
"You're welcome. I know how you love your coffee first thing in the morning."
"Well, thanks for that too."
Luke caught her double meaning and quietly answered, "My pleasure."
"So, this fishing trip, when are you leaving?"
"As soon as I get you safely home."
"I think I can get home all by myself. Been doing it for years."
"But we are officially still on a date. So I'm still responsible for getting you home."
"Some date."
"Yep, it sure was." Luke beamed.
"Careful there, your feelings are showing."
"I was just thinking I might listen to Kirk more often."
"Now that's a scary thought." Lorelai drank her coffee and watched Luke move around his kitchen fixing their breakfast.
"I love a man that knows his way around the kitchen."
"I've noticed."
She repeated, "I love a man that knows his way around the kitchen."
He looked over at her. "And he loves you."
"So, while Rory's gone, want to play house?"
"Lorelai, I don't think that's wise. Small town, Miss Patty, and Babette right next door."
"Think they will talk? They do anyway."
"How about another compromise?"
"You and your compromises."
"Worked pretty well last night, don't you think?"
"I have to admit...."
"So I suggest that we spend lots of time together but never let them see."
"How do you expect to pull that one off, diner man?"
"I'm sure we can do it."
"Clandestine meetings?"
"Not that mysterious. Just being careful and watching our moves."
"Easier said than done."
"But it can be done."
Lorelai gave him a look. "I guess."
Luke brought their food to the table and they talked about his trip.
"Sounds like a nightmare to me. Rory and me know how to live."
"Yeah, days at the mall. Evenings in front of the TV."
"Heaven."
Luke started to clear the table.
Lorelai yelled, "Stop. You cook, I clean. New rules for this household."
Luke laughed at her words. "This household?"
"You like?"
"Yeah."
"Go take your shower so you'll be all clean for those smelly fish. And then you can take me home. And if you are lucky, you'll get a good bye kiss."
Luke chuckled and went into the bathroom and before long he was joined by a very affectionate Lorelai.
Luke dropped her off at her door. They kissed, and said they would miss each other and then they kissed some more. Rory finally opened the door and informed them they were making out against the door bell. So they should either come in and stop entertaining the neighborhood or better yet, Luke should go home and let the girls have their day.
Luke knew when he wasn't welcome. He gave Lorelai one last kiss and drove off in his truck.
Rory looked at her mom. "Another successful date?"
"Yep, very nice. I think I'll keep this one."
"You have to. If you don't, we'll starve to death."
Mother and daughter laughed and headed upstairs to get ready for two days of intense bonding.
Hope you're not bored.