Rudy Can't Fail #16.5
Jess looked up as he reached the front counter of the Stars Hollow bookshop. He stopped. "Rory…"
She stared at him. "I don't wanna fight with you. Just give me your books to ring up."
He shrugged and handed over the small stack of books.
She began ringing them up in silence.
She rang.
And rang…
"Rory?" Jess asked.
"Leave me alone, I've got it," she snapped.
Jess sighed and leaned over to see the register. "We've got the same one back home. Want help?"
"Not from you."
Jess shrugged. "Fine."
She kept trying to open the drawer, and then looked around, but Andrew was nowhere in sight.
"Want help now?"
Rory sighed. "Yes…please."
Jess nodded and walked behind the counter, squeezing in next to her, feeling surprisingly comfortable. The tension that had been there in the past was no longer an issue. He fiddled with the drawer, and pressed the enter button, until it finally clicked open.
"Thanks," Rory said quietly.
"No problem," he replied, moving away and back on the other side. He pulled out some cash and handed it to her.
"So," Rory said, still quiet. "How are you?"
"Can't complain," he replied. "You?"
"I'm good."
Jess nodded. "Good."
Rory nodded back. "Yeah…good." She sighed. "Listen…about that night…when I just…showed up…"
Jess shrugged. "What night?"
Rory opened her mouth, but he just slid the books from the counter.
"Bye, Rory."
"Bye, Jess."
She watched him walk out, and meet Nadia halfway across the street. Rory smiled when Jess handed Nadia a book. Nadia kissed him quickly, before tugging him in the opposite direction.
Rory's phone rang and she sighed before picking it up. "Hello?"
"Morning, Ace!"
"Logan, it's the middle of the afternoon."
"And guess who just woke up?"
She shook her head and looked out the window, watching Jess drag Nadia in another direction. She heard the other girl laugh loudly, and shook her head.