Better in cones
Chapter Five
'Back so soon?' Jess smirked at Rory as she took the same position as earlier that day, sitting on the counter in the kitchen.
'Yeah, I just got bored. Mum's at work and Lane and I...well anyway it doesn't matter. So do you need any help with anything?' Rory asked swinging her legs gently.
'From the girl who said it was dangerous to let her stir pancake batter.' Jess raised an eyebrow is question, she smiled back at him, hopping down from the counter and standing next to him.
'You could teach me.' Rory replied, looking at the pan in front of him. 'What's that you're making?'
'A pancake.' Jess answered. Looking at her as she moved closer to the cooker, taking hold of the pan and trying to flip it.
'It doesn't look like a pancake.' Rory replied deflated a little as the pancake fell messily over the sides.
'That's because it wasn't cooked, which is also the reason it didn't flip over. The mixture was still runny, here try again.' Jess poured in new mixture, waited for it to cook enough on one side, the standing behind her, he put his arms round her, his hands holding hers in place and guiding them as she flipped it over. This time it landed perfectly.
'Yay! I did it.' Rory squealed excitedly, turning in Jess' arms and hugging him, then jumping away just as quickly.
'You'll be a star chef in no time.' Jess smiled at her, he couldn't help it, she had that effect on him that made him want to smile.
'So...Where is Caesar anyway? You seem to be doing all the work.' Rory said feeling a little nervous, twice in one day she'd hugged him.
'He came in this morning but had to go off sick, so it's just me. Typical right, means I can't bunk off unless I want Luke to kill me when he gets back.' Jess complained, going out to deliver some food, when he got back he found Rory tying an apron round her waist.
'What are you doing?' Jess asked her.
'If there's anything I know how to do it's make coffee, so I'll deal with taking orders, refilling and making the coffee and you cook, we'll make a great team.' Rory said walking over to the counter to take someone's order. Working together was turning out well, Rory had been right when she'd said they would make the perfect team, they managed to run the place well at the same time as having a laugh and reading every once in a while when things got quiet. As Rory heard a customer approaching she quickly started reading to the end of the sentence she was reading in her book, speaking before she looked up.
'Hi, what can I get you?' Rory asked still looking at the book.
'A kiss might be nice.' She heard Dean's voice, her head snapping up.
'You're not meant to be home till tomorrow.' Rory said trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice.
'Sorry to disappoint.' Dean looked rejected.
'That's not what I meant, I'm just surprised is all.' Rory replied leaning over the counter and giving him a quick kiss, as Jess passed through an order, noticing Dean standing there, he stood in the gap between the kitchen and the counter.
'So Rory what exactly are you doing behind the counter, wearing an apron?' Dean asked watching as Rory handed out the plate of food and refilled someone's drink.
'Jess is here on his own today so I offered to help out, we're splitting the tips.' Rory said shooting a look at Jess, who looked over at her with a smirk.
'We are? News to me.' Jess replied knowing full well that he would share the tips, and that she knew he would. His thoughts then turned to the plans they'd made to go to a concert in Hartford once the diner was shut. He began to write something down, handing to to Rory secretly when he passed her another plate later on, she saw the note and smiled, glancing quickly at Dean who was still at the counter, talking about some baseball game or something, she wasn't really listening, she slipped the note into her book and opened it up so she could read it.
I guess since bag boy is back we won't be going to the concert. Shame. J.
Rory panicked. She didn't want to spoil the plans she'd made, she was looking forward to hanging out with Jess at the concert. It was only when she felt Dean shaking her arm that she realised she'd zoned out and hadn't been paying attention to anything he'd just said.
'Sorry what did you say?' Rory closed the book and put it down on the counter next to the coffee machine.
'I was asking what you wanted to do tonight. What's up with you Rory? Ever since I got back you've been acting like you'd rather I just left again. I thought you'd be pleased that I was back early.' Dean looked annoyed again, she sighed not wanting to deal with Dean's insecurities, but at the same time she didn't want to hurt him.
'I am pleased, I just had a late night last night and I'm pretty busy here. I'm sorry, maybe it would be better if you took off, I'll call you later.' Rory replied, taking someone else's order, and passing it through to Jess, with a note scribbled on the bottom of the order page.
Concert still on. I'll take care of it. R.
'Fine.' Dean accepted unwillingly. 'So about tonight?'
'Can't I'm busy, but I'll call you when I get in and we can maybe do something after school tomorrow.' Rory replied, going back to work so she didn't see him when he left looking more annoyed than ever.
*
'You ready to go?' Jess asked as he finished closing up the diner. Rory looked at her outfit, it wasn't really a concert outfit.
'Do I have time to run home and change first?' Rory asked taking the apron off.
'Not if you want to get tickets. You look great anyway.' Jess replied shrugging his shoulders. Rory tried to hide the blush that was spreading through her cheeks.
'Right then, I've told my mum where we're going and that I'll be back before eleven. So let's go.' Rory smiled heading out the door and walking to her car.
'Here you drive.' Rory said handing him the car keys. He grabbed her wrist and handed them back.
'I'm starting to think you don't know how to drive.' Jess said smirking at her.
'Rory? I thought you said you were busy tonight, what are you doing with him?' Dean's voice came out of nowhere. He appeared beside them, Rory pulling her arm away from Jess' grip.
'I am busy, I made plans to see a concert with Jess.' Rory replied nervously.
'I thought you meant you had homework to do! I don't want you hanging out with him.' Dean raised his voice.
'Dean please, we have plans and we're going to be late. Jess is my friend I have the right to go to a concert with him if I want to.' Rory begged.
'No you don't, because you're my girlfriend and I don't like him.' Dean yelled.
'Jeez what's your problem? Rory can make up her own mind how she spends her time.' Jess said getting annoyed at Dean's presence.
'I strongly suggest you don't speak to me.' Dean clenched his fists. 'Rory can we talk about this?'
Rory looked between the two guys. Throwing an apologetic look at Jess, she really wanted to avoid a fight with Dean.
'Sorry Jess, another time.' Rory called after him as he walked off. 'You didn't have to do that Dean. We could have talked later, I told you I'd call you.'
'And what would you of said, that you were busy? Out with Lane or would you of actually told me the truth?' Dean fumed, Rory stayed silent. 'Jess, Rory! That guy is no good to be friends with.'
'I'm not trying to hurt you Dean, Jess is just a friend.' Rory crossed her arms across her chest.
'You're sure that's it?' Dean looked at her desperately.
'Yeah that's it.' Rory looked down at the ground.
'Then I guess I have to trust you. Just don't hang out with him so much ok, and tell me when you are, don't hide things from me. I love you.' Dean hugged her, she sighed silently and hugged him back.
'I love you too.' She said. Things may be fixed with Dean, but she was pretty sure Jess wasn't going to be too pleased with her.
A/N- Hope you liked it. Review please :)