Notes: Again, thanks for the reviews. I know I say it all the time, but I really mean it!
Disclaimer: As much as I would love to claim Gilmore Girls, "Pirates of the Caribbean," or Johnny Depp, none of the aforementioned are mine.
Chapter Three: Orlando or Johnny?
The next day was Danish Day at Luke's.
Which, of course, meant that attendance was absolutely mandatory, as I couldn't not have a danish on Danish day. That would be a crime.
"Oh, my dearest darling spawn, where did I go wrong?" I asked Rory as we entered the diner.
"I still say I'm right."
"Normally, I would agree. However, in this matter, you are so far wrong."
"About what?" Luke interjected, as he came over to take our orders.
I turned my attention to him.
"If I tell you, will you settle this debate for us?" I asked, managing to keep the impending evil grin off my face.
I could tell Rory was about to object, but I silenced her with a 'Look.'
"That depends, what are you arguing about?"
"I'll tell you when you agree."
"Fine."
"Well, we were just debating..." I paused, "Which of the Pirates of the Caribbean is hotter!" I finished with a flourish and a grin.
"You have got to be kidding me," Luke said.
"I tried to save you!" Rory piped in from across the small table.
"I would never joke about Johnny," I said, mock-seriously.
"Sorry, never seen it; can't help you." He said, and started to walk away.
"Ah, ah, ah." I reached out and grabbed the back of his flannel shirt. "You aren't getting away that easily, my friend. You said you would settle this for us. So settle."
"I told you, I've never seen it."
"So? You know who Johnny Depp is?"
Luke nodded.
"Orlando Bloom?"
Reluctantly, he nodded again.
"So, which is hotter?"
"First of all, " Luke started, holding up a finger, "I wouldn't even know where to begin on how to answer that question. Second," He switched to two fingers, "I have absolutely no inclination to do so, anyway."
"Hmph!" I exclaimed, knowing there was no way I was going to get him to answer. "Well, in that case, I'll just have a cherry danish and a coffee."
"Same here," Rory commented.
"Coming right up," Luke said, relieved to be off the hook of our interrogation.
He walked away, and I couldn't help but think of the conversation Rory and I had had on the way home from the mall.
I had finally admitted to myself, later that night, that I didn't want Alli to have Luke. The only thing that was bugging me now was why.
I sneaked at Luke as he walked around, taking orders.
Okay, so he was kind of attractive...pretty darn attractive, really, if you went for the scruffy diner man type. Which I didn't. So, what was my problem?
I did not want to be the kind of woman who didn't want a man, but didn't want anyone else to have him, either. But it looked like that's who I was turning into. And I didn't like it. At all.
"Hello?" I heard Rory's voice from far away, and a hand waved in front of my face, snapping me out of my own little world.
"You looked like you were having some pretty deep thoughts there. Care to share?" Rory asked.
"Nah, not worth it."
"Okay," Rory shrugged. "Oh, I'm going to be about half an hour late today. Paris called an extra meeting for the staff of The Franklin."
"Another one?" I questioned, glad to have something to think of, other than Luke.
"Yep. Apparently, she thinks we aren't covering enough current events."
"Well, that would bring an end to the world as we know it." My tone was sarcastic.
"According to Paris, it would."
"Yeah, well, someone needs to tell Paris to up her dosage."
"Coffee," Luke said, appearing before us.
"Ah, you remembered!" I said, happily receiving the extended cup.
"How could I not? You practically skinned me alive yesterday," Luke deadpanned.
"Well, the coffee comes first. Everyone knows that."
"I'll be back with your danishes," He said, and went to do just that.
-Alli's POV-
I entered Luke's quaint little diner the next morning, and the first thing I saw was that woman. I still didn't know her name, and I didn't care to.
I was still mad about the incident which had ruined my skirt, but I didn't confront her about it. I didn't want any more contact with the woman than was absolutely necessary.
Luke was standing behind the counter, and I turned my mind to him, instead of the brunette in the corner. I had come to the conclusion that I was going to ask him out. I was wearing a low-cut green top that accentuated my eyes -- among other things -- and a black skirt, looking good enough to jog his memory.
If nothing else, I could use flirtation and nostalgia to rope him into a date.
"Hi, Luke," I said, walking up to the counter with a slight sway to my hips.
He grunted something in response, not looking up from whatever he was doing.
"Don't tell me you don't remember me," I said in a flirtatious tone.
He looked up. "Alli. Yeah, didn't you come in here yesterday?" He asked.
"Yes," I answered, pleased that he had remembered.
"So..." I started, making sure that I held his attention. I did. "I was thinking, maybe-"
"Okay, Luke, not to sound impatient, but how long does it take to grab a couple of danishes? Have you suddenly developed carpal tunnel? Turtle syndrome?" The brunette appeared beside me, stealing Luke's attention. All of Luke's attention; there wasn't a smidgeon that wasn't focused on her.
This was not good.
"I know it may come as a shock, but I do actually have customers besides you, Lorelai," Luke said.
Lorelai. So that was her name. I didn't like it any more than I liked her.
"Yeah, but none of them are as pretty as me," she said with a grin.
Luke rolled his eyes, but handed her two cherry danishes.
"You're an angel!" the woman - Lorelai - praised, and turned to walk back to her table.
I saw his eyes follow her, and it was obvious that the woman was more of threat than I had first anticipated. Except for the fact that she didn't seem to be the least interested in him.
So maybe I wouldn't really have to fight, anyway.
"Did you want to order something?" Luke's words startled me.
"Yes," I smiled, knowing the moment had passed, "An egg white omelet and orange juice with no pulp, please," I ordered.
Luke nodded, disappearing into the kitchen.
Damn Lorelai for interrupting us. I would have to wait until the next day to ask him out, as too much time had passed to casually bring it up again. I didn't want to seem desperate.
I started to sigh, but stopped. I didn't know if it was possible to breathe calories, but I didn't want to risk it. I still had five pounds to go until I hit my goal weight.
-Lorelai's POV-
Damn it, why would he not get out of my thoughts?
I turned over in my bed for what seemed to be the hundredth time that night.
This was getting old, fast. What was wrong with me? I'd admitted I didn't want Alli to have him...but why? I had ruled out any plausible reason in the last two hours of tossing and turning.
Reason one, the most obvious: I didn't like Alli.
I didn't know Alli, so that couldn't be why.
Reason two: I didn't think Luke was over Rachel.
Okay, so that was kind of acceptable. If he wasn't over Rachel, then he had no business heading into a relationship with someone else. Except that I was pretty sure he was over Rachel...so scratch that one.
Reason three: I didn't think Alli was Luke's type.
They had apparently -- possibly, anyway -- dated in high school, but people change. However, again, I didn't know Alli enough to see if she was his type.
Reason four, the least likely: I was jealous because I wanted to be with Luke.
Um, no. Absolutely not. There was a better chance of 'N Sync making a huge comeback and going on a world tour with Michael Jackson.
Well, that settled it. I was a petty, vindictive woman who didn't want anyone else to be happy because she herself was not in a relationship. I could see the epitaph now: Lorelai Gilmore, died a spinster whose life mission was to tear apart every happy couple.
I sighed. There was only one thing to do.
--
I plopped down on my daughter's bed a few minutes later.
"Rory!"
No response.
"Rory," I repeated, bouncing a little.
"Late. Must. Sleep." she complained, pulling a pillow over her head.
"Sleep is not important. Mommy is important," I reminded her. "You know, the woman who spent hours in agonizing pain so little, tiny you would be brought into this world."
"Slee-eep." she whined.
"Mommy."
"Fine," she gave in, sitting up and shooting me a glare that would kill a normal person. Luckily, I'm not normal so I was not affected. "This better be good."
"Alli. I'm not jealous of her," I was quick to throw in, "but I don't want Luke to be with her. Why?"
"You dragged me out of bed for that?" she exclaimed. "You couldn't have just waited until morning?"
"This is urgent; I can't sleep! I'm going to turn into Travis Bickle, go insane and drive a cab!"
"Stars Hollow doesn't have cabs."
"That is so beside the point," I countered, "What does it mean?"
She sighed. "It could mean that you don't like Alli, so you don't want Luke to have her."
"Okay, let me just tell you. All the basic reasons? Got them covered. I need you to dig deep."
"It's too late for deep." She glanced at the clock. "Oh, God, it's too early for deep."
"Just go with me here. Remember Travis Bickle!"
I waited a few minutes as she thought about it.
"There's only one logical conclusion, and you're not going to like it."
"At the moment I'll be happy with anything! Tell me an alien's taken over my body, and I'll happily vacate your room and go to sleep."
"You don't want Alli to have Luke because you are jealous of her, but you don't want to admit it to yourself because that would be admitting that you have feelings for Luke."
"Already gone over that one in my head, too. The answer contained 'N Sync and Michael Jackson so I'll spare you. Safe to say, it's been successfully crossed of the list."
"Well, then, your body is being taken over by aliens. Out!" She pointed to the door and flopped down on her pillow.
So I found myself back in my room, finally falling asleep out of pure exhaustion, still no closer to a logical explanation for my non-jealousy.
TBC...