"Mom. No."

"Why not?!"

"You are not wearing your 'I got roped into a great time at the Ellensburg Rodeo' t-shirt."

"But look how cute this bull is!" she said, pointing to the cartoon animal printed on her top.

"Cute, yes. Appropriate for your first date with Luke? No."

"Okay, you're right. Plus, I'll be getting my cowgirl on later tonight anyway," she winked.

"Mom!"

"Yes, daughter dearest?"

Rory rolled her eyes and walked over to Lorelai's closet, shuffling through her clothes.

"Dress or top and bottoms?"

"Bottoms. Hehe. Dirty."

"Lorelai."

"Ugh. Top and bottoms. Dresses are too easy. Gotta make him work for it a little."

"Okay," Rory said, ignoring yet another implication that her mom would be having sex with Luke that night.

Ew.

"Are you going casual or fancy?"

"It's Luke. I'm doubting this date will involve a tie."

"Touché."

Rory pulled out a light blue, off-the-shoulder, fitted top and a pair of white skinny jeans.

"Don't stain them," she said, gesturing to the jeans. "You stole them from me."

"Thanks, kid. Got a belt?"

"Wear the grey pumps and your wide grey belt."

"Oh! Cute!"

"I learned from the best."

Lorelai emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later.

"So?"

"I'd date you if I was a dude."

"Thanks, kid."

L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L

The doorbell rang at 7:15.

"He's good."

"45 minutes later than we agreed. He already knows me so well."

She walked over to open the door and found a smiling Luke standing on the other side.

"Hey," she said, suddenly more excited than she thought she would be.

"Hi," he breathed, trying to gain control of the increase in heart rate that came out of nowhere.

I've seen her a million times before.

Hell, I've seen her in ball gowns and bathing suits.

She looks beautiful every second she exists.

So why am I suddenly seeing her for the first time?

Oh, that's right. She's mine.

"You're all dressed up." She observed.

"Yea well that's the kind of thing you do when you go on a date. I even put on deodorant!"

She scoffed at his remark, acting as though she found it unfunny, but secretly laughing at his ability to keep up with her wit.

Gotta keep it mysterious or he won't find me charming 50 years from now.

"Can you chill here for just a sec?" she asked him.

"Sure. Is, uh, is everything okay?"

"Yeah! I just need to run upstairs and grab some cash to give Rory for dinner. Can't let the kid starve."

"Okay. No problem."

"I'll be right back."

She ran up the stairs and into her room where she was greeted by Rory, who was holding a black dress on its hanger in one hand and black pumps in the other hand.

"Thank you," Lorelai whispered.

"No problem. I watched him get out of the car. You shawl and earrings are on the bathroom counter."

"You're a lifesaver, kid. Thanks," she said, kissing her daughter on the cheek as she scurried into the bathroom, in a hasty attempt to change her outfit.

She walked back down the stairs and tried to hide the redness she felt attacking her face when she saw him staring at her.

"You, um, changed."

"Wow, how observant of you. I didn't know what kind of place we were going to so I settled with business casual but you're wearing a tie so I'm assuming you're not taking me to Burger King."

"Actually I am."

"Even better," she smiled, her blue eyes twinkling, mesmerizing him.

"Ready?" he asked, snapping back to reality.

"Yes, sir."

"After you," he said, gesturing to the door.

"Have her home by 10!" he heard Rory call from the top of the stairs.

"Not gonna happen, kid. Not gonna happen."

Again. Ew.

"So kudos on the late arrival," Lorelai said as she slid into the truck.

"You take forever to get ready. You say you'll come in for breakfast at 8 and you show up at 10:30. I've learned."

"Thanks for paying attention."

"Always."

She blushed at the insinuation that he'd been paying attention to her for a long time and it suddenly occurred to her that she'd subconsciously been paying just as much attention to him.

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"Good evening!" a chipper male host greeted them at the doors of a dimly lit restaurant.

"Hello. I have a reservation for two under Luke Danes."

The well-dressed young man turned his attention to the reservation book.

"Okay, Mr. Danes! I've gotcha down right here! Follow me!"

Lorelai grabbed his hand, lacing her fingers through his, and leaned up to his ear, whispering "and you say I'm overly enthusiastic…"

He stifled a laugh. "You're incredibly boring compared to this one."

"Gee, thanks Butch."

"Call me that againand you're paying for your own dinner."

"Whatever you say, Butchie."

Luke rolled his eyes and gestured for her to sit when they reached the booth.

"Your waitress will be with you in just a few moments. Enjoy your evening!" the chipper young host all but skipped away.

Luke leaned closer to her."If our waitress is that annoying, I'm tipping 2%."

She laughed as she picked up the menu in front of her.

"So, what's good here?"

"Your guess is about as good as mine," he responded.

"You've never been here?"

"Do I look like the kind of guy who comes to a place like this with combed hair and polished shoes on a regular basis?"

"Good point."

"I just wanted to bring you somewhere special because it's…you." He looked down at his lap, trying to hide the embarrassment he was feeling from his obvious display of affection.

She reached over and grabbed his hand, willing him to make eye contact with her.

"It's perfect, Luke. It's perfect."