Chapter 3

Rory's plane arrived late into Hartford that night. Everyone was busy with last minute wedding planning; Rory didn't want to bother anyone not knowing for sure what time she would get in. So, she decided to take a taxi home. While she was waiting at baggage claim, she heard a familiar voice call her name.

"Rory?!"

"Lane! What in the world are you doing here? Not that I'm not thrilled to see you." Rory ran to give Lane a hug.

"Well, if I'm being completely honest, I needed to get out of my house. Not that I didn't totally miss you, because I did. But I have two toddlers and I needed to leave… for their safety and mine."

"Oh Lane, I am so happy to see you. And I could really use some best friend time right now. I've been alone with my thoughts for the last 12 hours and to say I have over-analyzed some things is an understatement. But first, how are Zach and the boys?"

"We'll get to me later, what is going on with you?"

"Well, for starters I quit my job last night."

"What?"

"I was packing last night when my supervisor came to my room. He told me that the flu was wiping out staff and he could no longer approve my time off and I needed to head towards Seattle today. And, without any discussion, I just quit. I didn't try to negotiate, just quit. That is not like me."

"Rory, you hated your job. And, nothing in this world would stop you being with your mom on her wedding day. Now, I've known you long enough to know there is more, so spill. But first, do you mind if we stop for coffee, I really want to take our time getting home."

"Lane, seriously, do you ever have to ask me for coffee?"

"I know; I just didn't know if you were anxious to get home. You have been traveling all day."

"Well, I really need to run some things by you before I spring it on my mom. She will not be happy."

"Rory, she will be thrilled. She hated your job."

"I know that, but I might have already accepted a new one."

"What, how… when? You just quit last night."

"I know, let's get our coffee and I'll start from the beginning or the end… I'm not sure what you call it. I'll start after my boss left my room."

The girls grabbed their coffee and some snacks and were back on the road.

"Ok Rory, spill."

"So, you never told me how Zack and the boys are."

"Rory, you are avoiding. Zack is fine, the boys are messy. It's the perfect life. Now, spill."

"Okay, Okay… you remember Liam right?"

"Ah yes, how can I forget about Liam. Ooh La La Liam."

"Well, after l quit. I was freaking out because I wasn't freaking out. I knew I needed to leave but I'm a Gilmore! Gilmore's are not quitters. But, this opportunity presented itself and I took it. Liam and a few of the other reporters were all meeting for drinks last night. I was supposed to join them after I was done packing. When I never showed up, Liam came to my room."

"Oh, finally. Please tell me and I want all the details. Don't hold anything back, I am a mother of twin boys, remember."

"Lane, focus! You sound like my mother right now."

"Right, sorry. Please continue. But, you did have sex right, you can tell me that much."

"Well, if you must know. We did have sex, but not until after several hours of discussion. Now, back to my story. When Liam got there, he knew something was up right away. I told him I quit and I'd be leaving in the morning for good. He was devastated. Apparently, his feelings for me are a lot stronger than mine for him. I made it very clear in the beginning it was a relationship of convenience, nothing more. Not that he's not a nice guy, he really is. But, I spent every amount of energy I had in my job, I sure didn't have time to focus on a relationship. We would go out, drink, laugh, dance, have sex. It was like therapy to keep me from going insane.

"But, he was 'super hot' and the sex was 'amazing' your words, not mine, Rory. You never felt anything more for this man? You have been seeing him for six months."

"We weren't exclusive. Or, at least I told him he didn't have to be. I know I wasn't seeing anyone else, but that was because the rest of our group was either married or completely not my type. Plus, it was hard enough to find time for one man, let alone several. I guess I assumed he was seeing other people, he told me last night he wasn't and that he was falling in love with me."

"Oh, wow. How did you respond to that?"

"Ugh, I didn't say anything. I just kissed him. I kissed him hard and the next thing I knew we were tearing our clothes off. Who knew good-bye sex could be so hot, but holy crap Lane, that was wow. If it wasn't completely wrong to be in a relationship just for sex, I would consider it with Liam."

"Rory, I know I'm married; but, is it wrong to be completely jealous of your sex life? I really want.. scratch that… NEED hot sex. Okay, that was probably TMI, but hey we have no secrets, right. Now, I still don't understand where the new job offer came about."

"Oh, Right. I need to back up. Before Liam's declaration of love, he was telling me about his Uncle that runs a very successful online magazine and is looking for a couple of overseas reporters. He said he's wanted to bring it up months ago, but for purely selfish reasons didn't. He knew it was my dream job, but didn't want to lose me. Well, he called his Uncle last night in my room and explained what just happened with my job and gave me a glowing recommendation. His Uncle interviewed me on the spot and offered me the position. I took it."

"Oh Rory."

"I know."

"No, you don't know. I know that has always been your dream job, but it's dangerous and I'm very scared for you. Your mom is going to be terrified."

"I know. So now you get the over-analyzing part I mentioned earlier."

"That I do. Do I dare ask when you start?"

"Second week of January, so I'll be home almost three weeks."

"A small silver lining, I guess. Well, I can't believe we are here already."

"I know; time flies when you are deep in conversation. Do you need more time to avoid going home, I'm sure we can take a few back roads around town?"

"It's after midnight already, I'm sure momma was able to help Zack get the boys to bed. It should be safe now."

"Okay, home it is. Lane, I have missed you so much. Thank you for listening tonight. I know it's not exactly great news."

"Rory, it's your dream. I know you have to do it. I just hope you realize soon enough it's not for you. Wishful thinking perhaps. I still have a ton of questions, so how about lunch at Lukes?"

"Sounds perfect, I'm sure mom will want to do breakfast, so let's plan for a late lunch. How about 2?"

"That works great. See you tomorrow. Good night, Rory. I'm glad you are home."

"Good night, Lane."