Chapter Twenty Three
Rory's life for the next months became a mundane existence of DAR functions. Hanging out at bars with Logan and his friends. Meals with her grandparents and forcing herself to believe she was content with her life. She finished her community service hours. Worked hard at the DAR and had no indication of ending the feud with her mother.
'Come on Ace. You've been looking round this bookstore over an hour! I'm a patient man but this is too much' Logan said checking his watch again.
'OK. I'm done we can go' Rory conceded heading out the door. Knocking into someone on their way in. A box full of books he was carrying fell to the floor spilling the books. Rory bent down to pick them up, gathering them up carefully and placing them back in the slightly battered box.
'Thanks' The guy said as he watched her put the books into the box. Her head was turned down to the floor so he couldn't see her face. As he spoke Rory froze. It couldn't be.
'Jess…?' Her voice came out as a whisper as she looked up into the eyes of Jess Mariano. He started down at her unable to move. She stood slowly now level with Jess.
'Ace I'm starving can we go?' Logan said unaware there was anything odd about this meeting.
'Hi..' Jess said not breaking eye contact. He couldn't think of anything else to say.
'Hi..' Rory replied her heart speeding up. Logan looked between the two of them.
'You know each other?' He asked. Rory's head snapped round as if just remembering Logan was still there.
'Uh-huh. Long time ago' Rory said looking back to Jess then down at the floor.
'Nearly 2 years' Jess said 'Not since the note.' He couldn't help but bring it up. He was still hurting from her words.
'Note?' Rory's eyes searched his face questioningly.
'Ace can you guys maybe catch up when I'm not so hungry. Come on let's get some dinner' Logan said growing impatient.
'Oh come on Rory don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about' Jess snapped. Ignoring Logan.
'Jess I have no idea what note you're talking about. You left remember. No word. No goodbye. Nothing for nearly 2 years. I don't think you have the right to be angry here.' Rory said angrily.
'I left because of your note. You broke up with me in a note Rory! I think I have every right to be angry.' Jess replied. Rory stared at him in surprise.
'I never sent any note Jess.' Rory said. Something in her voice. In her expression told Jess she was telling the truth. He dropped the box onto the floor and took out a folded piece of paper from his wallet. Handing it to Rory to read. It was the note he'd received.
'I got that the night I took off. It's your handwriting Rory..' Jess's voice broke and he couldn't go on.
'Jess this isn't me. It looks like my writing but I didn't write this…There look the way the R curls on my name. I don't write R's like that' Rory said pointing to it. Then suddenly all colour drained from her face. 'But my grandma does.' She said quietly.
'You think she did this?' Jess asked. Looking at her he could tell that she was telling the truth about never sending it.
'Who else Jess!' Rory said looking up at the man she'd loved.
'Ace can we go please?' Logan said getting angry.
'Jeez! Who is this guy?' Jess asked looking over at Logan.
'Names Logan Huntzburger. I'm Rory's boyfriend.' Logan replied with a smirk. Rory looked down at the ground.
'I want to catch up Jess. Are you in Hartford long?' Rory asked him.
'I leave first thing tomorrow' Jess said.
'Right then. Can you come eat dinner with us?' Rory asked.
'Uh well if your boyfriend doesn't mind' Jess said with a small smirk on his face. Rory smiled remembering it.
'He doesn't' Rory replied for him.