I woke the next morning to find a thick guilt ridden knot that had burrowed itself in my stomach seemingly overnight. I hadn't thought of Max until I just mere moment ago. And that only made the situation worse, the fact that when I kissed Luke I didn't feel guilty or sordid but elated and ecstatic. I was still, excited with the promise of Luke and I's pending relationship. But as the morning wore on I realized how much I'd hurt Max. He didn't deserve it he was great to me and I just hurt him, hurt really any chance of a friendship that we may have had after this thing was over.

I felt horrible. Maybe breaking it off with Max was something I had to do but that didn't mean I had to go behind his back and cheat on him with the guy whom he'd repeatedly asked if I had lingering feelings for. That wasn't fair.

And truth be told, I hadn't thought I did until Luke took me in his arms and kissed me. Then it had all came that insane rush of feeling that I had, until that moment, kept buried deep. Because the moment he kissed me it was all shooting stars and rockets. Now whenever I closed my eyes I could feel his arms around me pulling me closer and the way his lips crushed against mine. Demanding nothing but my honesty. With him. And with myself.

Now I was left to tell one of the sweetest most thoughtful men I knew that I couldn't be with him. It would hurt him. It would hurt us both irreparably but there was no way around it this I knew. It wouldn't be fair to anyone to leave this go any longer. And though it would be hard there was no going back now. Not after this. This all felt so surreal and I wasn't quite sure how I was going to do this.

I tried to act normal and follow the everyday routine showering, and dressing, finding my keys. No matter how hard as I tried my mind kept shifting back to Luke and Max and how I went from practically engaged to a great guy to making out with the my local coffee supplier in less then a week!

I didn't want to worry Rory just yet with last nights activities but sat across from Rory drinking our pre breakfast pot of coffee before the fateful walk to Luke's. I knew she could tell something was wrong. She kept giving me this concerned look. I felt like a criminal in a police interrogation room. I checked every few minutes or so for the giant window/mirror or the over bright overhead light.

Every once and a while she would ask me what was wrong with me and I'd just smile a hollow smile that seemed faked and forced even to me and say it was nothing just some problems at the inn. She saw right though my little phony cover but some how could tell that it was something I couldn't talk about.

Half an hour later I stood in front of the diner. I knew that I should just walk in, you know, now or never but I couldn't bring myself to do it. It was ironic Luke's had been my safe haven when things in my life were hard I had always turned to this place for solace and comfort. But here I stood, everything was so different now and my stomach was swimming with the thought of what might happen when I walked through that door. It was amazing how much had changed it hardly seemed long enough for my life to take such a drastic turn.

I sighed heavily and stomped my boots against the pavement working up the courage to walk through the door. Walking through that door would be the ending of something. Something big. Something that I wasn't quite certain that I was ready to let go of. I slowly and laboriously ran my hand through my dark hair. Now or never. I drew myself up to my full height squared my shoulders setting my jaw defiantly. Slowly and cautiously made my way up to the door. I grasped the handle, my knuckles turning white, while I turned the knob. I opened the door swiftly and stepped boldly through the doors. Into the next chapter of my life.

The diner was busy as usual I took a seat at the nearest open table. Luke was somewhere unseen and for that I was thankful I needed a moment to calm my nerves as compose myself before I saw him. I wrung my hands and chewed my lip nervously. I had never felt like this with a guy before I was anxious and hesitant worried and elated at the same time. These feelings swirled together inebriating my senses. My first instinct was to run but something inside compelled me to stay. To see this through. The sound in the diner was increasingly loud which seem so wrong compared to the eerie silence that had enveloped the diner last night.

Just then he walked into view. Looking the same as always plaid flannel, the baseball cap, and a scowl it was good to know that even if our relationship changed he hadn't. I willed composure as my breathe caught. He still hadn't seen me yet and was treading to a table ten feet or so from me to deliver plates pilled with food. He delivered the food quickly and without incident turning on his heel to go back to the counter he spotted me.

My breathe caught in my throat as we made eye contact. He gave me a slow grin and made his way toward me. My heart raced with every step he took. I was dizzy with the feeling and was warmed by what it meant. After all this was done and I told Max that I couldn't do it somehow I knew that Luke and I had something special. Something worth pursuing.

"Hey Lor" Luke said softly. He now stood only a few feet from the table. His eyes shone with uncertainty and fear so afraid that I had changed my mine. I was secretly glad that he was a scared as I was. I smiled reassuringly up at him my first genuine smile since the Max debacle. He returned the smile in earnest. Slightly more comfortable then he had been.

"Hey Luke..." I started trailing off not really knowing what to say.

"Ummm do you want to talk about this upstairs?..." Luke asked gesturing to the melee of people that had overtaken the diner. I nodded knowing that whatever we were about to say to one another did not need to overheard by Miss Patty and her cronies. I stood then and followed Luke quickly behind the counter and up the stairs.

As soon as the door was shut he turned and gazed warmly at me. I released a breathe that I hadn't known I was holding. The small apartment was immaculately clean and I silently laughed thinking about what he thought of mine and Rory's cluttered and cramped home.

"So..." Luke started he looked as anxious as I felt.

"Luke...I'm telling him tonight. I'm going to call him when I get to the inn and tell him that we need to talk. I'll meet him someplace neutral like a coffee shop well probably not a coffee shop because you know. I'm not sure what I'll tell him and I know it'll be hard but it has to be done...because what we have..." I rambled on I don't know were the words or for that matter the plan came from but it made sense and I didn't cry nor did I stutter when I said them so I was pleased. I was a far better actor then I gave myself credit for. Because if he could only see past all my bravado he would see just raw uncertainty and guilt.

"Lor...take a deep breath and try to calm down a bit." Luke said soothingly. He stepped toward me and folded me into a warm embrace. His arms went around my back and held me close. I melted into him and placed my hands on his chest. Luke's head laid on mine and he whispered "It's gonna be ok. I know it's hard right now and it hurts me that I'm partly responsible for you pain. But I promise it'll all be ok I'm still here no matter what."

I buried my face in his chest sensing all the love and comfort that he gave without question. I wanted to stay here forever. It just felt so right so perfect. My fears and doubts although not completely gone were dulled for the moment. His words were spoken with a sincerity it was unconditional and I truly believed that no matter what he would be there. "Thank you. Thank you Thank you." I muttered softly into his chest. My fingers clutched the flannel pressing me closer to him.

I turned my face up to him and he kissed me softly. It was a kiss filled with promise and unspoken feelings. It was soft and sweet. Full on the lips but potent all the same expressing without words his determination to be here for me not matter the circumstances. Leaving me dizzy with the wave of gentle and beautiful emotions that overtook me leaving me breathless. I beamed up at him. Feeling so secure and safe wrapped in his embrace.

When I left the diner minutes later coffee in hand. The sun shone brightly on the macadam as I walk to my car. I strode quickly with a slight smile gracing my face. Though this was hard I knew but I would pull through. Finally my doubts were silenced. My once weary mind was now hopeful and slightly calmer as I drove to the inn.

A/N

I know it's kinda short but I wanted to give Luke and Lorelai's meeting justice. I know I did a lot of backtracking and basically beat the point of this chapter into you with a stick it seemed right. Please review they make me happy!