Disclaimer: ASP's creation not mine. Don't own anything! If I did, I would want to own, Scott Patterson or Luke Danes. I'm totally fine with either! ;p Also, if I did own GG, there would be no such existence of the Nardini's and LL would be happily married at the end of S6, while making Lorelai's dream in S3 become a reality in S7.
Authors Note: Sorry ya'll, holiday fever kicked in. But thank you all so much! Your constant show of gratitude is very much appreciated. Seriously… I am eternally grateful.
Vital Company
Chapter 3: Coincidental Concurrence
Lorelai continued down the sidewalk, leisurely allowing her eyes to browse the displays in the storefront windows. Her mind was a wheel and she felt the hamster running for miles. She knew walking away from the conflict was best, because staying and arguing her case would've fell upon unwelcomed ears.
She made it about eight shops over, before she finally spotted a bookstore to her right. She figured she'd check it out and possibly grab a magazine to busy herself in killing some time, instead of just sitting and waiting for Luke like a good little puppy.
Lorelai scoffed at the thought, "Not happening, Mr. Milan!" She mumbled under her breath as she stepped towards the entrance.
As she made her way into the store, her senses were instantly met with paper. The sight and smell of books enveloped her. She browsed around, looking at the various covers and titles, while also allowing herself to cool down.
She saw a shiny sliver sticker on an older looking book that was placed on the staff recommended shelf. She picked it up and scanned the synopsis in the back. She liked what she read and figured Rory would too, so she placed it in the crook of her arm and continued scanning the shelves.
Lorelai looked up and saw a display that read: 50% OFF, so she made her way over towards that corner.
Immediately her eyes were drawn to a book with pictures of beakers and smoke with the title reading: The Way Things Work. She flipped through a couple of pages in the book, trying to understand even a single word, until a clearing of the throat was heard to her left.
She looked up and her eyes came into contact with the sight of a short and stout girl, who looked to be in her early twenties, smiling back at her.
"If you're into science," The girl began cheerfully, "then that's a great book. It's the newest edition out. It has amazing examples, clear images and it even gives incredible detailed interviews with scientists who experimented with every topic on each page."
"Really?" Lorelai asked as she smiled back at the girl, "Well, it actually isn't for me, but a gift for my uh-" She cleared her throat quickly, "fiancée's daughter. She's apparently really into science."
"Well, if that's so, then that would be a really awesome gift and that's the last copy we'll have, until next month." The girl said pointing to the book, "You'll really be her favorite person if you get that for her." The girl held her smile as she eagerly nodded.
"I guess I better get it then, huh?" Lorelai joked as she placed the book in the crook of her arm on top of Rory's.
"Yeah," The girl giggled, "and if you don't think that's enough, there's a little rotating stand up front with gift cards from a bunch of stores. You could add one of them with the book and sweeten the deal." The girl suggested, pointing out the stand to Lorelai.
"Thank you so much…" Lorelai smiled gratefully and looked to the girl's name tag clipped on her shirt, "Hailey. You're a life saver."
"No problem. Trust me, I know how important gift giving is, especially for the stepparent to their stepchild. My step-dad learned the hard way, but he got the hang of it after my mom told him cash was also acceptable." Hailey said, giggling a bit.
Lorelai gave a small laugh, "You sound like you've worked out a great system." She said thinking of how she probably wouldn't ever have that, what with the little spat she and Luke just had.
"Yeah." She smiled and shrugged, "Practice makes perfect."
Lorelai nodded lightly, "Well, thank you again, Hailey. You've really been a lot of help. I'm gonna head up to the front and check out those gift cards you talked about." She said, pointing towards the cashier's desk.
"Better safe than sorry, huh?" Hailey hinted kindly.
"Yeah, you never know with these younger ones now days." Lorelai replied with a smile, before she headed up to the front.
Lorelai gradually glanced at all the different gift card options, spinning the stand slowly, until she spotted a fifty dollar, white card with big bold red lettering that read; The Discovery Store. She remembered Rory loved that place as a kid and as a teenager, so she picked it up and made her way over to the counter.
As the worker rang up her items, she looked to her right and saw the magazines, she grabbed an Us Weekly, then a Cosmo, and just as she was about to turn, she saw a Sports Illustrated with a picture of a baseball player on the cover, causing her to automatically think of Luke. She sighed heavily and grabbed it as well.
The cashier told her the total and Lorelai looked past the girl and saw a kitty cat gift bag. She squeezed her eyes shut and asked the cashier to throw it in as well. She purchased her items and smiled thanking the cashier as she made her way towards the exit.
Just as Lorelai pushed the door to the exit open she immediately squinted from the blinding glare that hit her eyes as she stepped foot out of the bookstore. Her now lacking sight caused her to bump into someone that unintentionally made her drop her bag.
"I'm sorry." She apologized as she bent down to retrieve her items, "I didn't see you there." Lorelai apologized to the man she had just bumped into, only for her apology to be brushed off as he kept walking unfazed and didn't even bother to help her up.
"Jerk." She mumbled under her breath as she continued to collect her items. Her hair fell, fanning around her face, briefly blocking her view of her surroundings.
She was about to resituate herself into an upright position when she heard a deep manly voice from in front of her ask, "You okay?"
She couldn't help as her brows rose at the recognition of the man's voice. She flipped her hair back and rose to her full height.
Looking into the warm emerald eyes of the owner of the voice. She smiled and breathed, "Billy."
Billy instantly smiled back, "You remembered." His low voice rumbled out smoothly, truly impressed at her memory, considering what state she had been in during their exchange of introductory the previous night.
Lorelai's smile grew as she nodded, "Oh well of course. How could anyone forget you, Mr. Bond?" She teased.
Billy furrowed his brows in confusion "Pardon?"
Lorelai gave a small laugh, "Nothing." She replied as she waved it off.
His lips held slight curves as he spoke with her, "So you ditched the whole preservation club, then?" He asked, pointing towards the bottle of water in her hand.
Lorelai looked down at the bottle before she nodded, remembering a bit of their conversation from the other night, "Yeah. Ten shots of tequila had me breaking oath and giving in to the temptation." She joked, causing Billy to chuckle, which inadvertently sent a chill throughout her body at the deep rumbling sounds that spilled from his lips.
She inhaled sharply at the goosebump feeling that slowly slithered its way over her skin. The only person's laugh that was unknowingly contagious and caused her body to have that heart-warming and happy bliss sensation was Luke. Once again the similarities she unconsciously linked between Luke and Billy were numbing and yet oddly comforting.
"Umm…" She cleared her throat, "What are you doing in Woodbury? I thought you were staying in Stars Hollow?" She asked curiously, quickly shaking away her thoughts.
"I stopped off at the bait and tackle shop across the street." He explained as he pointed towards the store, "I'm headed out to the family cabin we have near the lake, just out past Beacon Falls. I'm gonna set it up for this coming weekend. Treating myself to a few days of fishing and relaxation." He informed.
"Wow, just like the original woodsmen." Lorelai joked.
Billy nodded, "Yeah." He looked down at her bags, "What about you? Book shopping?" He asked, nodding his head towards the bag in her hand.
"Um, yeah." She smirked as she raised the bag in confirmation, "Browsing turned into buying. I went in intending to look at a magazine, then came out with a book for my daughter that she probably already read at least five times, a highly recommended science book that I have no clue to what it's about, a gift card to the discovery store to go along with the science book, this weeks sports catalogue and two girly magazines." She smiled as she listed the items off in her bag.
"Very dangerous combination." Billy smiled at her, "Women and shopping." He said, shaking his head.
"We go together like cake and ice cream." She shot back with a proud smile.
"Don't I know it." He agreed, "You said you bought a science book and a gift card? Someone's birthday?" He asked calmly.
"Yeah." She said, glancing at her feet briefly before continuing, "Did I mention my fiancée the other night?" She began, gaining a nod from him, "Well, I just found out it's his daughter's birthday tomorrow, so I saw a book with science things, and the girl that worked there talked highly about it, so I got it. Just in case." She explained with a shrug.
Billy's brow arched, "The same daughter he keeps you from knowing?" He asked coolly.
Lorelai looked down again as she nodded, "That's the one." She replied, a bit embarrassed of how pathetic it made her sound
"Hmm…" Billy twisted his lips a bit and nodded his head, "Just in case?" He started again.
Lorelai sighed a laugh, "Yeah. My fiancée isn't exactly the best gift giver… well excluding me. Anyway, he's actually getting her a gift now. We had a little disagreement, which is the reason why I'm here and he's there." She briefly informed him.
"What happened?" Billy asked intrigued, knowing she would have more things to let off of her chest.
"He said he wanted to get her a gift." She shrugged, "I told him I could help. He denied my help and is currently purchasing her said gift as we speak." She said, then smiled slightly as she added, "He's getting her a toiletry kit."
"A what?" Billy asks in disbelief, thinking he must've heard her wrong.
Lorelai shook her head, "Oh don't worry, it has cats on it." Lorelei replied sarcastically, trying to hold back her smile.
Billy's brows raised in surprise as his mouth hung agape, "Wow." was all he could think to say.
Lorelai nodded, "I tried to tell him I could help. Seeing as I have a daughter that was once a teenager, so I have a bit of experience that may be beneficial to him, but he wouldn't have it. He literally laid out that he thinks it's too soon for me to get formally introduced to his daughter for the reason that when I do, it'll be all over for him." Lorelai let out in frustration, pushing past the fact that Billy was still a somewhat stranger, and yet she felt unperturbed with openly sharing her stressful thoughts with him.
"What does that even mean?" Billy asked a bit confused.
Lorelai's eyes grew wide; "Exactly!" She cried out indignantly.
"Let's go sit down." Billy said, pointing towards a few tables and chairs to the side.
They each took a seat across from each other, "He says if I get involved in his kid's life, then it'll be all over for him. He said I'm colorful, funny and flat out called me a cartoon character or something, like what the hell is that supposed to mean? Because it doesn't come off as a compliment." Lorelai ranted, "He went on saying that she'll pick me over him to hang out with. I told him that that was ridiculous because he's her dad. He pulled out his 'This is the end of this conversation' voice and said; 'Yes. I am her dad and this is how I want it to be.'" She finished, allowing her elbow to rest on the table laying her chin in her palm looking defeated.
"Jeez." He said softly, shaking his head as he couldn't help but feel sorry for her, "Where is he now?"
"At a store a few blocks back." She answered with a wave in the direction behind her, "I feel like I'm constantly on a stomach churning roller coaster ride with him. He's up, then he's down, then there's these recurring loops thrown in at unexpected times. He can't decide if he's hot or cold. I just can't- I can't keep up with him." She paused as she looked up to look Billy in the eyes, "I think… I really think I need to get away for a little while." She sighed heavily at those words as they slipped off of her tongue permitting her shameful eyes to look off distantly.
Billy paused a bit, before he shrugged and suggested, "Why don't you?"
Lorelai's eyes snapped back to his as if that was out of the question. Billy arched his brow as if challenging her to fight it.
She sighed dejectedly knowing that that just might be the answer, "To be honest… I'm really considering it." She spoke low, as if she were almost afraid of those words that she had allowed to leave her mouth, "I just don't know how to tell Luke." She confessed softly, her blue eyes holding his emerald ones in an intense gaze, letting him know she was truly at a lost with what to do.
Billy inhaled a deep breath, before he exhaled slowly, "Tell him the truth." He replied as if it was that simple.
Lorelai's eyes showed pure panic, "What?"
"Tell him you think you need a break from everything. Alone. You need time to yourself to get your mind right." He supplied, trying to help.
"You make it sound so easy." She said lightly, before continuing, "He wanted to postpone the wedding a while back, because of this and I mentioned that I felt like it wasn't gonna happen anymore. He said that it was and everything was great for like… a couple of hours?" She tried to remember, "Then one mention of his daughter's name and he clammed up again. Robo-Luke came back into action, locked and loaded."
"There's a lot going on with the both of you. Just tell him you think taking a little time apart will be good for you and him."
"Yeah?" Lorelai asked, clearly doubtful.
"Yeah." Billy answered, firmly reassuring her, "He can focus on his daughter, and he can get the full effect of a few days or so without you."
"He just had that." Lorelai said gloomily, "He was fine and nothing changed."
"You two talked everyday?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah" She answered as if that were obvious.
Billy nodded, "This time try no contact."
"What?" She asked as if that surely wasn't allowed.
"Let him get the full effect of what it would be like without you in any way. Not being able to see you, talk to you or touch you. Nothing… He's been shuttin' you out." He shrugged, "Well, let him have what he wants." Billy explained easily "Give him a taste of his own medicine, if you will."
"So, what you're saying is get revenge and make him deliberately suffer?" She asked, skeptical about the idea, for no matter what Luke was doing to her, she didn't want to intentionally hurt him. That would make her not only feel worse, but not help anything between them to get better.
"That doesn't sound too nice, huh?" He cringed a bit at her wording, "I guess, it's sort of in that way, but not really." He said as he tried to figure out a better way of wording what he meant, "You're not trying to hurt him purposefully or anything… You're just giving him what he wants." He said with a small encouraging smile, "What he's been continuously, without good enough reason" He pointedly emphasizes, "has been asking for…"
"Hmm..." Lorelai mumbled, looking off in thought as she gave the idea more consideration.
He held up his hands in defense, "But it's up to you." He said, making sure she understood that, "But can I make a suggestion?" He treaded lightly.
She nodded, "Please." She said, giving him her full attention.
He permitted his warm emerald pools to bore unwaveringly into her sparkling sapphire depths as he slowly breathed, "Take the break…" His deep voice was thick with sincerity.
Lorelai sighed and gave him a sad smile as if saying she would definitely give it well deserved consideration.
Billy glanced up, past Lorelai, then moved his eyes back to her, "Well, I better get going. Gotta beat the traffic." He said as he stood up and flashed her a sympathetic smile.
"Oh right." She replied, a bit sad that he had to go, leaving her all alone again.
"I'll probably see you before the weekend, but if you need another session" He joked, "even if it's a short one… you come find me." He offered, still looking at her.
Lorelai nodded, then allowed her face to display confusion, "Where?" She asked not knowing where he was staying, since she knew it wasn't at the Inn, because before she left that morning, she checked.
"I'll be around." He replied smoothly.
"What if I need to talk and you're not around?" Lorelai asked, not knowing why exactly she felt compellingly comfortable with him to have had a second heart-pouring session with this man she had just met a day ago.
"Trust me." He smirked confidently, "I'll be around."
"That's what they all say." Lorelai half joked.
"I'm sure I'll be seeing you very soon, Lorelai." He reassured her.
"Mmhm." She nodded aimlessly.
"Remember…" He looked at her pointedly, "Talk. Make him listen."
Lorelai nodded, "Yeah, I'll try." She said half-heartedly.
Billy shot her a wink, along with a small smirk, before he lifted his hand in a half wave and walked away, sending a round of chills down her spine at the familiar feeling that was once again smacking her across the face.
She squeezed her eyes shut trying to banish the irrational thought of comparing Luke to someone she barely knew and yet somehow felt so at ease with.
"Hey!" came the smooth, deep timbre against her ear sending yet another shiver down her spine, only this time it heated her to her core, warming her from the inside out.
Only one person was able to cause her to feel such an indescribable sensation and her lips instinctively curved into a smile as she allowed her eyes to gradually open, locking with his.
"Hey." She spoke softly. She craned her neck a bit to look in the direction that Billy had just walked in only to find it empty as if he had vanished once again, causing her to tilt her head in wonder, "Who is he, Houdini?" She whispered.
"Hmm?" asked Luke, not hearing her as he stood in front of her.
"Um nothing." She recovered, "You all set?" She asked quickly, changing the subject.
He nodded, "Yup. You?" He asked, gesturing to her bag as she stood up.
"Mmhm." She said shortly, not wanting him to ask any questions about what lay within the bag, "Ready?" She looked at him expectantly.
He pressed his lips and nodded his head, "Let's go." He replied
He wrapped an arm around her waist causing her to tense briefly at the sudden physical contact. He then squeezed her closer to him permitting her to relax. Only then did she allow her body to melt into him as they made their way back to the truck. Both of them deeply lost in their own thoughts as they rode in silence back to Stars Hollow.
As they got closer, and the Welcome to Stars Hollow sign was in sight, Lorelai felt a wash of panic run over her. She didn't know what Luke's plans were for the rest of the day, but she concluded that it might involve her. She wasn't ready for the one-on-one alone time yet, slightly afraid she'd let something slip out of her mouth towards him that she didn't want out yet. Her mind raced frantically trying to come up with something to prolong their inevitable talk.
"Umm hey," Lorelai began, wringing her fingers together nervously, "I uh…" She paused briefly, causing Luke to glance over at her, "I have to head back to the Inn." She let flow out as her eyes looked around, searching for more words, "I have a stack of paperwork that needs to be filed into the computer system and Michel gets very angry when he can't figure it out, so to avoid having to replace a computer and save my sanity, I volunteered to finish it." Lorelai explained, internally applauding her rapid-fire brain process as it came up with a well sounding reason at the drop of a hat.
"Oh." Luke looked back to the road, "Okay." He said with a hint of disappointment, "I thought you were off for the rest of the day and I figured we could spend some time together."
"I know." At the sound of his disappointment, Lorelai felt a string of her heart tear, "I'm sorry, hon, but it was last minute reservations and loggings that I just can't trust Michel with." She said softly unable to make eye contact with him.
"Oh. Well, can't someone else do it?" He asked, his eyes hopeful.
Lorelai shook her head, "The only person who knows how to input things right now is me since, Adam is off today and Greg is out sick." She sighed, feeling so much weight on her shoulders "I promise I'll make it up to you.
He sighed heavily, showing his obvious disappointment as he pulled the truck down the Dragonfly's path, "Okay." He nodded shortly as he pulled up to the Inn, "You want me to meet you at your place later?"
Lorelai couldn't stop the small scoff at hearing him again refer to the home they renovated together as her place, "If you want, but I don't know how long I'll be so…" She faded out, hoping he'd catch her hint that she didn't expect him there.
He put the truck in park, then over at her as he nodded, "Um okay… Well, maybe I'll just see you tomorrow, then." He said, casting his eyes down.
Lorelai felt another string of her heart tear as she saw the hurt expression on Luke's face, she was so conflicted with what to do, but she knew she needed to process out a plan before she sat down alone with him.
"Hey," She said softly as she reached out to take his hand in hers, "You know I'm still here."
"I know." He whispered.
"Like always." She squeezed his hand.
He nodded, "I know."
"I just need to-" She began.
"I know." He said, cutting her off as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze back, "Go."
"I'll see you tomorrow." She reassured him with a small smile.
"Yeah. You will." He leaned forward to meet her in a kiss. He captured her bottom lip between both of his as he gently suckled on it for a long moment. He allowed his tongue to glide gently along her lip, savoring her strawberry flavored gloss. He placed a parting kiss on her lips, before pulling back and returning her smile.
He could always make her heart flutter with just a simple kiss. She never understood how, but he was the only man that was able to do so. She reached for the handle and pulled the door open stepping down and pushing it shut, leaning on it peering into the open window.
"I'll drop by in the morning if I get up early enough, if not I'll see you later." She said, holding her small smile.
Lorelai saw a look of apprehension wash over Luke's face in an instant as he said, "Oh. Umm" He cleared his throat nervously, "Well, tomorrow is April's party thing, so if you don't make it into the diner in the morning, then I'll call you after the celebration and we can have dinner or something." He said, not so subtly hinting to Lorelai that she wasn't to come by during the same time April would be present in the diner.
Lorelai averted her eyes quickly, attempting to mask her pain stricken eyes, "Yeah. Sure." She replied faintly as she pushed off of the door to stand straight. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and shuffled her feet, "Okay, well, I've gotta get inside, so I'll talk to you later." She looked up to him, pressing her lips together.
He nodded and sent her his signature half wave and smirk, which caused a warm wave of guilt and pleasure to wash over her. She turned on her heels and swiftly walked up the stairs and into the Inn as he drove away. She released an exasperated sigh and trudged her way into the kitchen.
"Ughhh!" She groaned loudly, resting her chin in her palm and her elbow on the counter as she plopped down on the stool near the island counter top.
Sookie giggled at her friend's hysterics, "What's the matter, Sweetie?"
"Him!" She cried out, "He's just so- when he did- and then he said- Gahhh!" She growled out in frustration, unable to complete a sentence.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Lorelai, sweetie, calm down! Breathe" Sookie said, putting a hand on Lorelai's shoulder. Lorelai took a few deep breaths, "Good." Sookie nodded, "Now… start again and try to make sense this time. What happened?."
Lorelai inhaled deeply, before she briefed Sookie on everything that had happened that day up until she had walked through her kitchen door, including her run in with Billy.
"I mean, just when I think he's letting me in again, then wham! He shuts the door back in my face. I swear, I cannot keep up with him anymore." She let out in aggravation, but did a double take when she saw Sookie holding back a smile, "Why are you smiling? This isn't funny, Sook! I'm really going crazy here."
"I know, I'm sorry, honey, and I completely agree with you. I'm just finding it a bit odd." Sookie said as she sprinkled garnish on a few dishes.
"What? What do you find odd?" Lorelai began, "The fact that I'm a minute from ripping my hair out or the fact that Luke is this completely different guy?"
"Well yeah, all of that and the fact that Billy 'just happened to be at the same place at the same time'," she raised her hands to use air quotes, "as you." She lightly teased.
"Sook, come on." Lorelai began tiredly, knowing where Sookie was going.
"What?" She shrugged, "I'm just saying, what a coincidence."
"Okay first of all," Lorelai held a finger up, "Billy was across the street at the fishing store or whatever. Second, you know I only have eyes for Luke… even if his, has long moved on." Lorelai rolled her eyes.
"His eyes have not moved on." Sookie scolds; pointing the knife she held in her hand up towards her, "It's firmly elmered to you."
Lorelai's brows shot up in surprise as she took a frightened step back, "Easy there, Lorena!"
"Whoops!" Sookie looked down at her hands and swiftly dropped the knife on the counter, "Sorry, honey! But you know that Luke doesn't want anyone else, right? He's just all jumbled up right now, but you know he still loves you."
"I know, but he finally has me, to the point where I'm on the edge of my seat, just waiting to marry him, and now it seems like he could care less. I just feel like… He's maybe taken on too much. I mean, he's very talented in many things," She said, causing Sookie to giggle, "but he can't balance too many plates at once, if you know what I mean?"
"Yeah," Sookie answered sadly, "but, you know he doesn't want any other woman. I mean you have to know that at least. Lorelai the guy has been so into you and only you, for forever." She pushed.
"Maybe…" She sighed dejectedly, "Then again… maybe he just can't handle it all. Maybe he doesn't want any woman at all right now." She shared dully.
Sookie shook her head vigorously, "No Lorelai, no! Luke wants you, he's just all muddled up with everything that's going on with April, right now. He'll come around eventually." Sookie tried to soothe.
"Yeah…" Lorelai looked up into Sookie's eyes, "Eventually." She breathed defeated, "Sook… I think I'm gonna need that time away."
Sookie swallowed thickly, "Yeah, sure sweetie, of course." She replied consolingly, knowing that was probably the best-case scenario.
"I don't know exactly when, but just know it'll be soon. I'll find a way to work from wherever I choose to stay."
"What? No, you need to relax. That means no working." She scolded.
"No, Sook, working will put my mind at ease a little. Knowing I'm able to have some time to myself, all while not letting things pile up will oddly soothe me. I still want to hold up my end of the responsibilities." Lorelai said evenly.
"But, Lorelai-" Sookie began, only to be cut off.
"Honey, I'm so grateful that you want to allow me this time without work, but…" She shrugged, "the world doesn't stop just because someone has a bad day. And just because my bad day is more like bad days, that doesn't mean I can put everyone else's life on hold just so I can pick up the pieces from mine."
"I know, but-"
Lorelai shook her head slowly, "Sook." She said calmly, showing her a smile, "I'll be fine."
Sookie sighed, knowing her efforts were good, but useless, "Alright…"
Lorelai moved over to her and hugged her friend in a tight embrace, "Thank you. You're the best friend a girl can have." Lorelai said softly as she released her.
"You better remember that when Jackson and I can't find a babysitter." She joked, lightening the mood.
"You got it. Say the word and it's, Aunt Lorelai to the rescue." She smiled.
Sookie giggled, "Okay, well just let me know when the dates are and we'll have everything set."
"I will."
"And you have to let me know where you decide to stay."
"I will, Sook." Lorelai smiled at her concern, "I'm gonna get things prepared just in case. I'll be in my office."
"Okay. Remember now." Sookie pointed to her ear.
"I know." Lorelai smiled, "You got two. Thanks Hon."
Sookie nodded as Lorelai exited the kitchen.
She made her way into her office and plopped herself on her chair as she exhaled an exhausted sigh. She squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to smother the watery heat that began to form in the back of her eyes. She had so much to do and they didn't even include the whole Luke thing yet.
Luke was a whole other situation and she couldn't think about him right now. She needed to get everything situated as best as she could, so she could allow herself to take the much needed time away. She inhaled a shuddering breath as she swiped the moistness from her eyes, before she dove into her work, beginning the prep work for her escape.
Authors Note: Hey readers, I hope to retain your interest. It's a slow, but steady build up lol. Thanks again to all of you who have read, reviewed and followed. You guys rock!
