"So, Lorelai," her father began after swallowing his forkful of salad, "how are things at the Inn?"
"Fine," she said, her mouth full. "The town is holding its annual Firelight Festival, so we're booked with a lot of tourists this weekend."
"Firelight Festival?" Emily interjected. "What's that?"
"It's like a big party that the town throws every year to celebrate its founding. There's food, music, typical festival activities."
"And mom sings drunk karaoke on stage after having more than her share of Miss Patty's Founders' Day punch," Rory chimed in.
"She what?" Emily and Richard asked at the same time, their disapproval evident.
Rory hadn't realized she'd said that out loud and panicked for an explanation when she felt her mother's glare on her from across the table.
"She...um...she gets dressed in a costume out of the trunk and sings karaoke with Miss Patty."
"Mhm," her grandmother replied, knowingly. "You know, Richard, maybe we should go check out this little festival of theirs."
Lorelai returned her glare to Rory, both of them knowing full well that Emily's only motive was to catch her daughter in the act of doing something stupid so she could hold it over her head.
"I miss being the victim of a car crash," she whispered to her daughter. "She was nicer when I was hurt."
"What was that, dear?"
"Nothing, mom," she replied, plastering a fake smile on her face.
She woke up the next morning with one thing, one person, on her mind. It felt like it'd been years since she'd last seen him but the reality was that he'd fed her lunch less than 24 hours ago. She got dressed and went downstairs to pour herself a cup of coffee, finding that her daughter had already left for school. Heading toward the porch, she retrieved the newspaper and retreated to her couch. After finishing her cup and perusing the Arts & Leisure section, she slipped on her shoes, grabbed her keys, and started toward her car.
She walked in to find him taking orders from a couple in the far right corner. He was wearing a flannel with black and two hues of dark red. His washed denim jeans were a mild blue and his backward baseball cap matched them perfectly. Hottie, she thought. She took a seat at the counter, waiting for him to see her. After a few minutes, he still hadn't noticed her presence and when she looked up, he was standing in the entryway from the diner to his apartment. When he caught her attention, he nodded his head toward the staircase, gesturing for her to follow him.
When she reached the top of the stairs, he was leaning against the exterior of his door, arms and legs crossed and wearing a smirk on his face.
"Hey," he said, nodding in her direction.
"Hey!" she smiled back at him.
"What's with the secrecy, 007?"
"I just," he began, walking toward her and resting his arms around her shoulders, "wasn't sure what we were telling people about us yet, so I figured I'd give you a proper hello up here. So," he said leaning down to level his face with hers and giving her a quick peck on the lips, "hello."
"Hi," she smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling. "Okay, I'm going back downstairs," she said turning on her heels. "I need coffee."
"I suppose that means you want me to follow and serve it to you?"
"Smart man," she mock-admired.
He followed her, watching from behind as she skipped down the stairs and out of sight. Taking her seat at the counter, he strode behind it and grabbed the coffee pot from the maker. Pulling out a cup, he placed it in front of her and began to pour.
"No, no, Patty, you're wrong," they heard Taylor whine from a table by the window. "They built the fire to throw themselves on it when their families found them."
"Taylor, you're crazy," Patty replied. "They built the fire so they could stay warm their first night here."
"Patty, I am the recording secretary for the Stars Hollow City Council. I think I know how my town was founded!"
"Ugh!" Lorelai gasped. "Can nobody talk about anything else but this stupid festival?" she yelled.
Her comment turned heads from the majority of those seated in the diner, including Luke.
"That came out a lot louder than it was supposed to, didn't it?" she asked Luke, suddenly aware of the audacity of her words.
"Yep," he agreed.
"Yep," she confirmed.
"This festival is commemorating the founding of our town, young lady," Taylor interjected.
"I know, Taylor. I'm sorry."
"She's bipolar," Luke commented, mocking a conversation they'd had earlier that week.
"Really?" Patty asked, astounded. "But you're so young!"
Lorelai nodded her head in confirmation, shrugging her shoulders as if to signify there was nothing she could do about it while silently laughing at her ongoing inside joke with Luke.
"I don't know what is wrong with me," she turned toward him as he walked back behind the counter. "This is a beautiful festival, people should be enjoying it."
"It's a crazy festival based on a nutty myth about two lunatics who, in all probability, did not exist. And, even if they did, probably dropped dead of diphtheria before age 24" he interrupted, obviously annoyed with the existence of the event. "The town of Stars Hollow probably got its name from the local dance-hall prostitute or two rich drunk guys who made up the story to make it look good on a poster," he ranted, ending with a gasp of air.
"You are full of hate and loathing and I gotta tell you, I love it," she said, pointing her finger at him.
He leaned closer to her. "It's so good to have someone to share this hate with. More coffee?"
"Yeah, please," she nodded. "Hey, tomorrow, if you have time, I'm planning on despising everyone who says 'hey, how's it going?'"
"You're on," he agreed.
"Hey, how's it going?" a voice sounded from behind Lorelai's back.
"Oh now that's just too easy," she said.
"Rachel," Luke said, shock evident in his facial expression.
"Rachel? Your Rachel?" she asked, then turned toward the woman behind her. "You're Rachel?"
"Yep," the woman nodded. "I'm Rachel."
He remained motionless and speechless, unable to comprehend the series of thoughts running through his mind. "What are you-I mean, I thought you were in the Congo or Philadelphia or something."
"Actually," she replied, "though very similar to both the Congo and Philadelphia, I was in the Mideast."
"Guess that postcard must have gotten lost," he mumbled, refusing to make eye contact.
"Yeah, well things are pretty crazy over there," she said nonchalantly. "Not a lot of writing time. But I finished my assignment, I flew back to Chicago and I was walking through O'Hare, and I look up and there's a plane leaving for Hartford in, like, 20 minutes. All of a sudden, I'm on it."
"Nice story," he continued being short with her.
"I should have called," she replied, finally catching the vibe he was giving off.
"No...you...it's fine."
"You look good," she said smiling at him.
Okay, time's up sweetie. I'm not here for you to be hitting on my man.
She turned quickly in her seat, holding out her hand. "Hi!" she interrupted. "I'm Lorelai."
"Oh no," he thought.
"Uh, hi!" she replied, confusedly accepting her handshake.
"Luke's girlfriend," she explained.
"Oh…," Rachel trailed off. "Well...hi. It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise!" she responded cheerfully before turning her head toward Luke, whose focus was on the several people sitting around his diner with jaws dropped and utensils loosely hanging from their hands.
She followed his gaze to realize that they were staring at her and it took her only a moment to realize that she'd just publicly identified herself as Luke's girlfriend, mere moments after sneaking off to share a secret kiss.
"I should lea-" Rachel repeated.
"You don't have to," he cut her off.
"I'll go visit my parents," she justified. "I'll be sure to come and say goodbye before I leave."
"Okay, nice seeing you," he said, almost apologetically.
"You too, Luke. It was nice meeting you," she said turning her attention toward Lorelai.
"Nice meeting you too," she replied with a half smile. "Have safe travels."
"I will," she smiled walking out as the bell on the diner door resounded behind her.
The silence among the morning crowd continued to hover, only being broken when Lorelai looked at Luke and said "you're welcome!" with an obvious volume.
He laughed at her quick thought. "Thanks for playing along. I appreciate it."
"Anytime," she waved her hand in an 'it's no big deal' gesture.
"Wait," they turned to hear Kirk speaking up from a table to their left. "So you're not his girlfriend?"
"Kirk," she said, "don't you think you guys would know if I was Luke's girlfriend?"
"I guess we would," Patty chimed in, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"I was just helping out a friend in need. Mission accomplished." She turned her attention back to Luke, "thanks for the coffee, I've gotta run. Oh and save me some pie, I'll be back for dinner with Rory."
"Sure thing. Thanks for the cover up" he said, trying his best to act completely casual.
"No prob!" she said as she walked out the door.
The fire in the town square was roaring, the crowds were bustling, lovers walked hand-in-hand from food trucks to carnival games to the music stage. She sat in the gazebo, nursing a Red Solo Cup filled to the brim with Miss Patty's Founder's Day Punch. She glanced to her left and watched him as he effortlessly wiped down tables and flipped chairs on top of them. They'd made a mutual agreement to keep their relationship out of the town's prying eyes but she couldn't help but wish they were walking amongst the other couples, reveling in the love that filled the air.
She pulled out her phone and dialed the wall phone that was directly behind him. She smiled as she watched him turn around and lift it to his ear.
"Lukes," he answered.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"Are we okay?" she asked nervously.
"Of course we're okay. Why wouldn't we be okay?"
"Just making sure, after this morning and all."
"We're fine, Lorelai," he assured her.
"You're not mad?"
"Not at all. Actually, I thought it was pretty funny."
"Good," she laughed. "Hey, any chance you'd want to hang out with me tonight?"
"I, uh, I don't think that's such a good idea. We don't want another accidental exposure…," he trailed off.
"No I mean like at my house. A movie or something?"
"Oh, okay. Sure, I'll just finish up here and I'll be over. Do you want me to bring anything?"
"Just your handsome self….and burgers….and fries….and onion rings….and a milkshake…."
"You got it," he chuckled.
He hung up the phone and she laughed as she watched his speed of work suddenly double. Despite what she'd thought was a quick walk home, he was already on the porch swing when she arrived.
"How did you-"
"How did I what?" he inquired.
"Nevermind."
She opened the door and he followed, gently closing it behind him, then taking two long strides toward her and wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.
"Hi," he whispered into her ear, his hot breath sending chills all over her body.
"Hey," she exhaled shakily.
He tightened his grip around her and pulled her closer, moving her sweater aside and placing his lips to her shoulder. She turned her head and brought her hand to this side of his head, pulling his lips to hers. He explored her mouth for a few moments before placing a series of kisses down her jaw and neck.
"I've been waiting all day to do that," he said, breathlessly, when she finally turned in his arms. Wrapping her hands around his neck, she brought his lips back down to hers and mumbled "I'm not complaining" against them.
"Did you bring food?" she asked, wildeyed.
"I'm not dumb."
"Good," she said, grabbing the bags from his hands whilst placing a quick peck on his lips, then turning toward the kitchen. She set the bags down on the table and walked toward the refrigerator, retrieving two beers from the bottom drawer and handing one to him. He took the hem of his flannel and used it for friction to twist off the cap, handing it back to her and taking the other for himself.
"Such a gentleman," she smiled.
He nodded backward over his shoulder, gesturing toward the living room. She followed, bringing the bags of food with her. After setting them down on the coffee table, along with her beer, and felt him take her hands and pull her down onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and she relaxed into his embrace, laying her head against his shoulder.
"So, what movie are we watching?" he asked, running his fingers through her long, curly hair.
"What movie do you want to watch? I'm a residential Blockbuster."
"Do you have When Harry Met Sally?"
"You're serious?" she asked, astounded at his request.
"Yeah. That's a good movie."
She got up and walked to the entertainment center. Opening the cupboards, she retrieved 4 items and held them up to him.
"VHS, VHS Deluxe Edition, DVD, or DVD Deluxe Edition?" she asked, smiling proudly.
"That's pathetic."
"It's essential!" she argued.
He sighed, then pointed to the VHS Deluxe Edition. "That one."
"My man is such a traditionalist," she said, smiling even prouder.
"I figured this was a test so…"
"A+, burger boy."
She turned on the tv and put the tape in the VCR player. Picking up the remote, she walked back to the couch and reclaimed her place on his lap.
"They kind of remind me of us," he said as the movie drew to an end. She'd gone into a food coma by then, snuggled closely to him, her head on his shoulder, dozing off.
"Hm?" she asked sleepily.
"The way they came together. I mean we never hated each other at first like they did but they spent years bickering and arguing and knowing, subconsciously, that they were in love but neither said anything."
"I guess that does kind of sound like us," she replied.
He kissed her temple and settled back into the couch, holding her tight as she fell asleep in his arms. When her breathing slowed and her body relaxed, he carried her up the stairs and laid her on her bed, covering her with her comforter and placing a chaste kiss on her cheek. As he began to walk away, she grabbed his wrist.
"Stay," she pleaded.
He didn't dare to argue. "Okay," he whispered.
He changed into the pair of sweats that he'd left at her house and slid into bed behind her.
"I'm glad you said something," she whispered.
He kissed the part of her shoulder that her tank top left exposed and turned over, falling asleep with a smile on his face.