Chapter 16
"So I'm sorry I can't offer you more time, but unfortunately we're kind of shorthanded today,'" Jess said casually as they walked towards Truncheon together, "Matt's out and we've got a ton of shit going on, and being a three man operation works far more effectively when you actually have three men."
"I could help out," Rory offered quietly, "It's not like I have any real plans today."
"So you just stopped in Philadelphia for the cheesesteak then?" Jess asked, trying to keep his voice level and his confusion hidden.
"Do I always have to have a plan?"
Jess stopped dead in the middle of the road. "Alright, what is going on?" he snapped, turning to Rory, grabbing her by the arm, and dragging her across to the other side of the street.
"What are you doing?" Rory asked, her voice high and amusingly similar to the way she sounded during the sprinkler incident of the early years.
He pulled her to the side and didn't let go of her arm, boring into her eyes with his. "Rory, you just expressed a lack of interest in planning. Now for most people that's normal, but for you it's a sign of hysteria."
"Oh geez," Rory tried to brush him off and continue, but he didn't let go.
"Don't give me that. Something is going on with you, " Jess said, "You're spending random weekends in Philadelphia, just offered to work at my bookstore, and have given up your interest in lists. Just tell me what's happening."
"Nothing is happening!" Rory turned, finally meeting his gaze. Her eyes were blazing with anger. "Not a thing. And if there were something, did it ever occur to you that maybe I didn't come here to talk about it? If I wanted to be lectured for my lack of interest in sharing, I would've gone to Star's Hollow."
Jess stood stunned. "Rory," he said, his voice low, "I'm sorry for getting on your case. I didn't mean to upset you. Look, you wanna work at Truncheon the rest of the day? We can arrange that. I'll yell things at you in a foreign language as you take down the Sanders table." Seeing the uncertainty in her eyes, he continued, "We could really use the help. Seriously. You don't have to talk. But I really wouldn't mind you sticking around this weekend."
"I don't have anywhere to stay," Rory mumbled, not meeting his eye, "I didn't actually book a hotel. And I have work tomorrow."
"Well it seems to me you're looking a little green," Jess smirked, feeling her forehead, "Feeling okay, Ms. Gilmore? You feel warm. You should rest."
"Again, I lack any sort of lodging," Rory said, starting to regain some of her composure, "Nowhere to rest."
"Above Truncheon?" Jess inquired. Seeing the look on Rory's face, he hastily added, "Two beds. Lots of books. Clean sheets. Cold beer. Pizza."
"You should've started with the pizza," Rory cracked, finally smiling for real.
