Lisa stared cautiously at Lorelai and shook her head. "No, I haven't dated in years. I really don't think that I should go."
Lorelai rolled her eyes and tossed her a warm Pop-Tart. "Aw, come on, Lisa. Dating's not that hard. It's fun, and if you don't like whatever guy Luke met than you don't have to talk to him again."
"But that's the thing! I don't know him! He could be a total sleaze."
"And? He could also be the man of your dreams."
"But what if he's not?"
Lorelai laughed and took her shoulders. "You remind me way too much of my daughter. Life will go on, Lisa. It will be fine. Just relax a little, okay?"
Lisa sighed. She still wasn't sure. "Lorelai, ever since...ever since all that shit happened, for the past six years...I've been living in...a shadow of my fear. I can't trust anyone...because whenever I do I get hurt. The one exception to that rule so far has been you, and in six years that's not the greatest track record."
Lorelai smiled softly. "Yeah, me, and Rory, and Sookie, and Jackson, and Luke. All of us."
"Yeah, you're all good people. But what about this new guy? You don't know anything about him."
"Nor do you."
"Yeah, but..."
"Lisa, two hours," Lorelai laughed. "Just ease up for two hours, okay? It will be fine."
Lisa sighed. "I don't have anything to wear on a date."
Lorelai grinned and ran upstairs, but not before she said mischievously, "Now that I can help."
Lisa emerged from Lorelai's room around five to twelve feeling absolutely amazing. Lorelai had loaned her a beautiful blue sundress, the outfit complete with jewelry and baby blue heels. She helped her apply light makeup and pinned her hair in the back with a butterfly clip. Lisa had been amazed, laughing at Lorelai's huge room.
"You have so many clothes," she shook her head. Lorelai grinned.
"They're the only thing I'm good at," she agreed.
Lorelai emerged behind her, looking radiant as always. Her dark hair was clipped to the back of her head and was accented by her red sundress. She tossed Lisa a light jacket and grabbed one of her own. Lisa looked at her and smiled.
"I think I'm ready," she admitted shyly. "Thanks."
"It's no problem, sweetie," Lorelai smiled. "You feel like one of my closest friends even though I've known you for such a short time."
"Same with you," Lisa informed her. "Which for me is really saying something."
"I understand," Lorelai nodded. "Thanks again for...talking to me last night. I know it helps when you do...although it can be unbearably hard."
"Yeah," Lisa smiled and put on a cheerful face. "Well, shall we? I'm ready to face my George Clooney."
"Just hope that, honey," Lorelai laughed as they left the house.
"So where are we going?" Lisa asked excitedly.
"Well, Luke wanted to go to lunch at Al's Pancake World before we go to the festival," Lorelai admitted. "Is that alright?"
"It's fine, but...we're having pancakes for lunch?" Lisa frowned.
"No, we're having seafood," Lorelai corrected. Lisa stopped in her tracks.
"I thought you said we-"
"It's a long story, just know this: we are eating seafood at Al's Pancake World. Okay?" Lisa rolled her eyes and laughed as they entered the misnamed restaurant and found their table under the Danes reservation . Luke turned around, and Lorelai smiled. Lisa froze.
It wasn't George Clooney, and it wasn't a total sleaze. But it was, by no means, the man of her dreams.
Jackson Rippner, assassin extraordinaire, was seated next to Luke.
