2017 - Winter
"There you are, Mariano." The blonde woman with the short hair waved at him.
"Paris", he stated and grabbed a seat next to her. "Rory's there in a minute. She just texted me."
"Well then." She looked him in the eyes, piercing brown. "You feel uncomfortable? Being alone with me?"
"Um, no. Should I?"
"Dunno." She observed him. Jess ordered a beer and talked briefly to the waitress.
"So, Kerouac, tell me about your past. And with past I mean, women. Or men. Not that I'm biased."
"Okay, now I feel uncomfortable." He rolled his eyes.
"Come on. Don't be shy. I just wanna know what I can expect of you. Rory's my best friend. She just had a baby. And not yours."
"Damn Paris, now you've revealed a secret. Don't do that again to me."
"Rory didn't make the best decisions in life. Geez, I don't wanna start. But truth is, I always liked you. You're not like this little puppy Dean or the adult version of Richie Rich, besides you're not... what is the word again? Oh yeah, married or engaged. Wow. And you're also not someone she doesn't remember the name."
"Poor Paul."
"Was it Paul? I thought Pete. Whatever."
"Listen, Paris. At the moment, Rory and I are just friends. And I'm totally okay with it. I fell for Emma and I'll always be there for both of them. Rory and I share a history. But as I said, at the moment, that's all. I think Rory has to find out on her own what she really wants in her life. Without pressure."
"And that's enough for you?"
"Totally. I want the real Rory, the girl I fell in love with so many years ago. I mean we're adults now, with all our packages. Or babies", he smirked, "but I think she got lost somewhere and has to pick up the pieces. I'm ready to help but the main part is up to her. Being the other woman, treating others like crap? That's not who she was."
"True words."
"I mean, we both knew that she wouldn't remain the blue-eyed innocent girl forever. And it's good that she came out of protected Stars Hollow and the bubble she lived in. We all make mistakes and stumble. It's a learning process. It's not the mistakes that define us, but how we correct them."
"Wise man."
"Years of practise." He took a sip.
"But now back to your past. I'm curious. Being a Beatnik means also a lot of fuckery."
"Geez. You're obsessed. Missing Doyle?"
"Shoot, Mariano."
"Well, I'm 34 years old. Born and raised in New York City. Several stops in California and Philly. What do you expect? As an author I needed some inspirations." He smiled smugly at her.
"Details, please."
"You're a desperate woman. Are you digging on me?" Jess played with the fork in front of him. "Well, of course I've met some women in the last couple of years. But only with one it got more serious."
"Besides Rory?"
He looked at her. "Yeah, of course besides Rory. Her name was Ava and we've dated for 3 years."
"What happened?"
"Life. She wanted commitment and I wasn't ready to buy her a ring. It would have been dishonest of me. Promising something without meaning it."
"I see. But still... you're... experienced?"
"Hey guys, sorry for being late!", a female voice appeared behind them.
"Good lord. You're my rescue", Jess groaned, as he saw Rory sitting next to him.
She laughed. "What did I miss?"
"Your crazy friend wanted to know all about my sex life. She was totally digging on me."
"You wish. I'm a gynecologist. I'm just a professional." Paris showed her teeth.
Rory blushed and arranged her hair. "Well, then let's change the topic."
"Oh hell no, we've just started. Jess, continue."
"Okay, as you desire. But I tell you, Fifty Shades of Grey is a fucking Disney movie in comparison to my stories. I can totally keep up with having a drug-addicted mum and a sad childhood."
"You've read that crap?", Paris cried in horror.
"Nope. But I've watched the first movie. A man has to do, what a man has to do... to get into someone's panties."
"Okay, we'll drop that conversation now." Jess smirked in amusement as he saw some stress patches appearing on Rory's neck.
"Can you imagine someone wanted to marry him, Gilmore?", Paris asked.
"Um, well...", Rory looked first at Paris, then at Jess, "... it is not a big surprise, isn't it?"
"I was never in a relationship with him, that's why I'm asking you. Well, clear your thoughts, I need to use the ladies' room." She jumped up and disappeared.
For a moment there was silence.
"Who was it?", Rory asked, but didn't dare to look into his eyes.
"Name's Ava."
"Ava... as in... Ava Broom, the one whose pictures are all over your appartment? I've read this name before."
"Yeah. She's a photographer. All credits belong to her."
"Very talented woman." Rory tried to smile. "So, you're still friendly? Why have I never met her?"
He chuckled. "We're not directly friends anymore. But I'd say we still care about each other. She's in a happy place now. And just because we're not a couple, doesn't mean that I instantly hate her photography and tear them down."
"You're right. Sorry." She nervously played with the napkin. "Did Luke meet her once?"
Jess looked a bit startled. "Well, yeah. Your Mum, too. We visited Stars Hollow one time around Thanksgiving. Listen, give me a minute. There's a client at the corner, I really need to talk to him", he stood up and pointed at a bearded guy with glasses. Rory just nodded.
She sighed. Stupid feelings. Stupid hormones. She took out her phone and breathed in. Should she really do it? Her thoughts were running crazy and the next second she opened up the browser and typed in "Ava Broom". Some artsy sites popped up and Rory immediately saw the Facebook Profile. "Okay, only one picture", she said to herself and clicked the link. The profile appeared and there was girl with honey skin, hazel eyes and blonde hair. High cheekbones, a subtle smile. Damn. She's beautiful.
Rory looked at Jess who was talking to the guy. He laughed and looked so free and confident. Of course there were girls like Ava after him.
An hour later he walked her to her car.
"So, Emma's with Daya?", he asked.
"Yeah, she is. Daya is so nice to her. Perfect babysitter." She observed him and started to walk more slowly.
"Truth or dare?", she asked and tried to sound unconcerned.
He snickered. "Oh boy. Well, then I'd take truth. Too tired to do some activities."
"Do you believe in love at all?"
Jess stopped walking. He slightly shook his head, turning to her. "Why?"
"Oh well, I just.. I was just thinking about it. You turned down Ava who seemed to be beautiful and you had a lot in common and so I've thought..."
"Look Rory, it's not that easy. I think I loved her, yeah. She's stunning and intelligent. But she belonged to someone who made her a priority. I was not that person, to be honest. But well, nevertheless, yes, I believe in love at all. Of course. Look at Emma. How can you not believe in love after seeing her?" Both of them continued walking.
"That's cute, Mariano."
"I know, I know. A baby who made me sappy. Didn't see that one coming. But hey, I cannot resist those blue eyes. It's my destiny." He smiled and stopped in front of her car. "G'night, Rory."