Not sure if this is as balanced as it usually it, but I like this chapter because the past is so happy and fluffy and the present just really wants to be that. Can't reveal too much of the plot now, sort of waiting to see your thoughts in the reviews! Enjoy!
PS: Trying to do my ANs Twitter style! But don't want to forget my faithful reviewers: THANK YOU SO MUCH! I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH!
Disclaimer: Don't own GG
"So," Logan drew out with a cheeky grin as he flicked through the Wall Street Journal. It had been a year since Shira and Emily had decided that an eighteen month engagement was too short and forced Logan to pop the question in such an unbecoming way.
Rory and Logan decided immediately that the giant crystal sparkler on Rory's ring finger would not determine the status of their relationship. Officially, yes, they might have been engaged to be married in what was bound to be Hartford's most lavish wedding ceremonies, but to an outsider the couple acted like love stuck high-school sweethearts, the only thing concerning them was whether to rent movies or make their way to local movie theater. Still, fact remained that in a little over six months they would graduate and shortly thereafter Logan and Rory would walk down the aisle with a huge Society Smile plastered on each of their faces. And this was something that rested heavily on Logan's mind.
"What?" Rory asked absentmindedly, flicking through her own copy of the paper.
The couple never fought. Occasionally, they got caught up in a heated discussion; like where to keep the take-out menus or who could read the Arts and Entertainment section of the papers first. Rory decided to get a 'his-and-her subscription', since she reasoned that in order for their union to be a success, they shouldn't focus on small, unimportant matters.
"Here," Logan said happily, placing a full mug of steaming coffee in front of Rory.
"What?" Rory said with a slight trace of irritability lacing her tone. It was still early, like, only three-cups-of-coffee-early and Logan knew not to spring big news on her at least until she had consumed a minimum of five cups. She grabbed the mug and held it up to her nose, sniffing in the delicate aroma of her treasured drink. She realized that this would be her fifth cup of the morning and a smile washed over her face. Logan did know her well.
"So," Rory drew out similarly to Logan a few moments ago, "What's up?"
"Well," Logan said as he reached for her hand and laced his fingers with hers, "You know, in a few months we'll be married…"
"Seven," Rory interrupted gently. "We graduate in six months, and we'll be walking down the aisle one month after."
She swallowed hard, pushing that thought to the back of her mind. It wasn't that she wasn't looking forward to marrying Logan, because she was. Over time, she had gotten used to the idea and after being with him since April of her freshmen year she knew that he was the One for her.
No, it had to do with the fact that their secure college bubble was going to pop. She would no longer be living with Finn, Colin, Stephanie and Lane. There would be no more 11 pm snack runs or morning coffee and gossip sessions with the girls before her English Literature in the 19th Century class or eating greasy nachos on Thursdays with the whole group after Richard's Econ lecture.
Instead, Logan would be starting at HPG, whereas Finn and Colin would start at their own father's companies and the girls would be confided to the walls of Society. For Rory, that meant being a wife to Logan, starting in earnest at the DAR and starting her charity yet to be decided charity work.
"I know," Logan said reassuringly as he rubbed her had, "So this got me thinking…."
Rory's lips curled into a smile. Dangerous things tended to happen when Logan thought. "Please don't tell me you want to elope," she said, holding back laughter, "We'd wipe out the matriarch of the Hayden, Gilmore and Huntzberger families in one shot and I for one cannot be responsible for the complete and total collapse of Hartford Society!"
"I'll admit," Logan nodded, "this was on my list of possibilities, but I decided a vacation would be a much more relaxing thing for us to do, you know, before the stress of the wedding and….life," he sighed. He had meant to be light and enthusiastic, but he sounded just as nervous as Rory felt.
She got up from her chair and let herself fall on his lap. "Like a pre-honeymoon?" she asked coyly.
"More like a last-hoorah," he chuckled before pressing a quick kiss on her lips.
"Are you okay?" Rory asked Logan as he clenched his air-sickness bag in his right hand. It had been a particularly rough Atlantic crossing and this was one of the only times Rory wished she were flying commercial. A bigger plane was a lot less bumpy than the tiny private Huntzberger Jet.
"I'll be fine," Logan said taking a sip of his water, "Just as soon as we hit the ground."
"Okay," she nodded and rubbed his back comfortingly. "We should be there soon."
Their bubble had popped in an extremely unexpected way. Mitchum had had a heart attack and Emily had summoned them back to Hartford. Logan immediately arranged the jet and settled the hotel bill, as Rory started packing their necessities like a wild woman. The hotel staff assured them they'd ship the rest.
There was a distinct silence between them on the flight back. Both were wrapped up in thoughts about Mitchum. He was never all too nice to them; however, he had been a part of their lives forever. He was a strong man, no-nonsense and he was part of their family. Logan's mind quickly turned to the business. If Mitchum was ill or actually died, Logan would have to take over the business. That would mean more travel, more meetings, more BS he really had no desire to be dealing with.
Rory shivered at the thought of her impending return to Society. She was happy overseas. She vacationed a lot, but this trip in particular had been like a vacation for her soul. She was in love again, but she hadn't planned on returning until she was ready. She knew Logan would make sure of that, but this hadn't been up to them. She knew that now Logan needed to go back to business and she'd be left on her own again. With Mitchum's life hanging in the balance, she couldn't help but wonder where that left her and Logan.
"Which hospital is Dad in?" Logan asked Rory.
"I don't know," she sighed, clenching her switched off Blackberry. Emily was supposed to leave a message before take-off, but she hadn't and Rory needed to keep her phone off in-flight.
"Okay," Logan sighed softly, in his serious business tone. He agitatedly looked at his watch. "Freaking Paris time," he muttered under his breath.
"Its 2:25 am US time," Rory said, stealing a glance at her own watch. She shot a soft smile at Logan. 'Look, we'll be on the ground in ten minutes, we'll call Emily or your mom right away and find out more."
"I know," he nodded and his features softened. "I'm sorry, Ace. It's just… "He cast his gaze to the floor, hoping the answer would be there, but it wasn't.
"It's okay," she said softly, "I'm worried, too."
And with that, that the plane hit the Connecticut ground with a soft thud. The King and Queen of Society had returned.
"This place is amazing, Logan," Stephanie said, adding a squirt of ketchup to the burger she held before her.
"Yes, mate, lovely," Finn nodded affirming as he raised her beer bottle, "To the last-hoorah!"
"To the last-hoorah," Lane matched her boyfriend's enthusiastic tone.
"Don't mind them," Rory grinned as she looped her arm around Logan's waist. He was manning the grill which was on the beach-front patio of the house Logan had rented for the next week. He had initially intended this to be a trip for him and Rory; however, when his friends countered by saying they were in desperate need of a little mid-semester getaway he relented. They had been through so much together so they were all entitled to a little last-hoorah.
"This place really is georgeous, babe," Rory said as she leaned in to him.
"Yeah," he sighed back contently, looking out over the ocean. "Are you sure you don't mind the extra baggage?" he asked, jerking his head to their group of friends.
"Hey!" Colin exclaimed, "We have ears, you know!"
Rory laughed, choosing to ignore Colin's comment. She honestly didn't mind the gang being there. They were her friends and they had had some great vacations together. Rory had even suggested a re-match of the now-classic jet-skiing race, which Logan and Rory had lost and ended up buying lunch.
"Nah," she waved, "Now come and eat… the food is going to get cold!"
"Alright, Ace," he said, shooting her a loving smile, "I'm coming."
"This is so perfect," Rory said sipping her strawberry margarita.
"I know how to make a drink, Love," Finn said, sampling his own beverage, "After all these years you still haven't figured it out?" he asked taking mock-offence.
"I meant this," Rory said, gesturing to the table and the breathtaking view, "You know you'll have to top this for the honeymoon, right?" she joked, shooting Logan a wide smile.
"Yeah, mate," Finn interjected, "Where are you taking her?"
"Oh, I don't know," Logan shrugged slyly, "But I can assure you, Ace, it'll be just the two of us!"
Rory winked at him, knowing that he probably had an elaborate honeymoon planned for them. "Any big plans for tomorrow?" she asked him.
"Beach day?" Logan suggested, taking a bite out of his burger.
"Five days of R&R," Stephanie giddily clapped her hands in agreement.
"As if you're deprived in Hartford," Colin said with a cool eye-roll. The on-off-again couple was back on a break; though neither party was speaking about the reason that caused it this time.
"Whatever," she replied, matching his eye-roll.
It was tense for a beat, until Finn decided to lighten the mood.
"Enlighten me," he said with a noticeable slur, "What happened between you two?" He pointed his beer bottle at Stephanie, and then at Colin. "It was going so well, wasn't it?"
"Nothing happened," Colin let out a frustrated sigh, before dipping a hand full of fries in ketchup.
"Exactly," Stephanie said, tapping her perfectly manicured finer on the glass patio table, "That's the problem."
"Oh," Rory and Lane shared a profound look as Finn and Logan exchanged puzzled one.
"Anyway," Stephanie said airily, trying to lift the uncomfortable mood that suddenly took over the table, "Should we go diving Thursday?"
"Oh, it's been forever since we've been diving," Lane said enthusiastically. Finn nodded with the same enthusiasm, "I'll make sure to be sober by then!"
"Yeah," Colin nodded, "I'll go."
"Good," Stephanie said smiling, relieved to have the focus off her and her disastrous relationship, "What about you two?" she asked tipping her cocktail glass at Rory and Logan.
"Ah," Logan smirked, "Unfortunately, Ace and I will not be able to join you…"
"What?" Rory asked, lifting her head up from his shoulder, "Why not?"
"Because," he laughed, "I've made other plans for us."
"Sounds a little on the dirty side, mate," Finn said, popping open another beer.
"Finn!" The three girls yelled in mock-disgust, and Lane punched him on the shoulder for good measure.
"Women," he said, letting out a disgruntled sigh.
"Are you okay?" Logan asked Rory as they sat in the backseat of the town car that had been waiting for them at the airport.
"Yeah," she blinked, feeling caffeine deprived, "How 'bout you?"
He nodded slowly, as the sharp buzz of his phone filled the car. It had been buzzing non-stop ever since he switched it on after the plane landed. It was to be expected, what with being out of the office for almost three weeks.
"You should get that," Rory said, pointing at his phone.
"It's okay," Logan shook her suggestion away, "It was from the Account Management Task Force Group in Nice eleven days ago," he swallowed, "I told them to take care of it without me, which apparently they couldn't."
Rory winced as he spoke; his tone was laced with aggravation. "Sorry," she apologized automatically, "I…" but she stopped. She didn't know what she ought to be sorry for. Logan wanted to spend time together; tack on a few more weeks to their Paris getaway. If his work stuff was piling up, he should have let her know. They couldn't have flown to Nice and spent some time there if the meeting was so important… She sighed and realized she was getting worked up over nothing. They were both tired and shaken up by the news of Mitchum's heart attack. Things had changed; it was going to be different now, she scolded herself.
"Ace," Logan sighed noticing the worried look on her face, "I'm just tired." He cupped her chin with his hand and shot her a soft smile. "Why don't we get stop for some coffee for everyone?"
"Sounds delicious…" she responded with a heavy sigh.
"What else?" he asked; knowing that she probably was starving.
"Taco's seem fitting to this situation," she couldn't help crack a small smile.
"Really?" Logan asked, raising his eyebrow, "Seemed more like a Crunch Wrap Supreme moment to me,"
But Logan didn't hear her funny comment, as his phone fought for his attention and won. "Oh, the Asian Office, I just need to get this," he shot Rory an apologetic smile.
"Here you go," Logan said, entering the bedroom that Thursday morning, "I got you some more coffee."
"You are a God," Rory said, gratefully taking the mug from his hand, before downing the beverage in one shot.
"Now," she said, with her hand on her hip, "Am I dressed okay for our little trip today?"
She whirled around, giving Logan a 360 degree view of her outfit. She was wearing a pale white summer dress that fell to just above her knees paired with simple white flip-flops. The deep navy string of her polka dot halter bikini peeked out at the top. She wore her hair down, using her Gucci sunglasses to push it back. In her ears, she wore the silver hoop earrings he had gotten her as a surprise last year and her beloved sapphire ring elegantly graced her middle finger on her right hand as now much of her left hand was taken up by the gaudy sparkler of an engagement ring.
"You look amazing, Ace," Logan said, making his way over to hug her.
"Thanks," she answered coyly, breaking the embrace, "But am I dressed for the trip?"
She loved Logan more than anything, but she really hated his little secret surprises. Logan loved how cute she looked, not being in the know. She was dressed perfectly, but he didn't want to ruin his surprise.
Instead, he just shrugged. "You'll be fine…you might want to lose the old Spark-ster, though," he pointed at her engagement ring.
"Really?" she asked, glancing down at the offending thing. She hated it, but at the same time, she really didn't want to remove it, either.
"Shira would die if we lost it," he smiled at her, 'And I thought we agreed upon not wiping out the matriarch of Society just yet…."
Rory looked down at the ring. "So, Sparky has to stay?" she asked hesitantly, as she wiggled it off her finger. "You intrigue me, Huntzberger," she said, shooting him a piercing look, as she carefully put her ring in her jewelry box.
"Come on, Ace!" He grabbed her hand and led her out the door.
"We brought coffees," Rory announced to the room of saddened adults.
"Oh, thank heavens you are here," Emily exclaimed, getting up from her seat and hugging Rory. "Where's Logan?" she asked, "And why do you smell like grease and onions?"
"Plane food," Rory lied through her teeth as telling her grandma she stopped for some emergency taco's would add stress she did not need right now. "And Logan's just dealing with some business. Apparently, the Asians don't understand why Mitchum can't be in the conference call…" Rory explained, "and all of his calls are being transferred to him," she added with a sigh.
"Good man," Richard said, "Taking care of the business."
Rory felt awkward standing in this hospital waiting room alone. She had grown used to having Logan securely by her side the past few weeks. She knew her mother had a million questions to ask and her grandparents and in-laws remained comfortably oblivious, but now wasn't the time or place to discuss this.
"So," Rory said, passing out the coffees, "How is Mitchum?"
"We don't know," Shira said, blowing into her Hermes handkerchief, "These doctors won't tell us a thing! He's my husband, for heaven sake!"
"They are working on him, kiddo," Chris said, ignoring Shira. "He's in bypass surgery right now and they'll let us know when he makes it through."
"It'll be okay, hon," Lorelai added comfortingly, noticing the shocked expression on her daughter's face. "It's Mitchum we are talking about here; he's strong," she flexed her arm muscles as if she were a body builder, "Like bull!"
Rory cracked a soft smile, "I know. I'm just worried, about Logan, too," she admitted, as she clenched her Styrofoam coffee cup tighter.
"Hey," Logan said softly as he entered the room, "I got the Asian Group to reschedule."
"Quite a feat," Richard chuckled and shook hands with the young Huntzberger.
"Good to see you, Richard," Logan replied, "Although, a different set of circumstances might have been preferable."
"Indeed," Richard nodded.
Rory never ceased to be stunned at how easily Logan went from 'normal' into full-blown business mode.
"Mom," Logan said, giving his mother a quick hug. "It'll be alright, I've talked to the doctors and they are doing their best."
"Emily," Logan turned around to press a gallant kiss on Emily's cheek. Logan turned on his heel as Emily and Shira embarked on a conversation about the Winston Engagement Party.
He sat down on one of the hard, uncomfortable plastic chairs next to Rory and smiled at Lorelai and Chris. They were his surrogate parents and did not need a flashy Society greeting.
"How are you doing?" Logan asked, placing a loving arm around Rory's shoulder.
"Better," she admitted, as she relaxed at his touch.
"Good," Logan sighed, noticing his own breathing evening out, too. "So, what do we do now?"
"Wait," Rory replied hesitantly. It was a cruel, cruel paradox. Her life had been moving so rapidly the last few weeks, changing to match some long-forgotten goal she had once set out to have, and it felt good, like she was doing something worthwhile. And now, upon returning to her stomping grounds she was forced to sit and wait. For more that she cared to admit, Mitchum Huntzberger controlled her destiny. Whatever it was, she needed to keep her Paris mentality. Stay the new-and-improved Rory she had become and she hoped Logan would do the same.
"Okay," Logan sighed, lacing his hand with hers. "We'll wait."
There wasn't any grand elopement, or a thousand baby blue tiffany boxes to unwrap, or a complicated scavenger hunt to endure. Logan and Rory were sailing on a small yacht off the warm waters of Aruba. Logan's surprise was perfect in its simplicity. It was just the two of them, together without Stephanie and Colin's relationship dangling in front of them, a constant reminder of how their own relationship could turn out, or Finn and Lane, a constant reminder of what they needed to live up to. There wasn't any cell reception, so Emily, Shira or Francine couldn't call about wedding details or pressure Rory into choosing her charity. Or, Mitchum or Richard calling up Logan to talk business or make golf appointments. Lorelai and Chris couldn't reach them to vent on the hardships of Society Life and college and the last handful of credits seemed light years away.
It was just them, gently rocking back and forth to the sway of the ocean, enjoying strawberries, champagne, and a whole goodie basket of gourmet prepared snacks.
"This is nice," Rory said, leaning in to Logan, letting the warm sun shine on her pale stomach.
"I'm glad you like it," Logan said, brushing his hand over hers.
"Are you kidding," she replied, "I would have liked anything, as long as you were there with me…" She trailed off. She couldn't help getting a little fuzzy at Logan's enticing smell and at how secure she felt wrapped up in arms.
"Dangerous statement to make, Ace," he responded jokingly. "What if I had favored Alaska over Aruba?"
"I hear it's lovely this time of year," she responded absentmindedly.
"February?" he asked disbelievingly, a smirk lacing his face.
She pulled away from him, sitting up straight. "You know what I mean," she said, before pressing a lingering kiss on his lips. "I love you, and if you wanted to go all crazy and go to Alaska in the middle of winter, I'd go with you…."
"You would?" he asked, raising his left eyebrow slightly.
"…you'd just have to buy me a very, very warm winter coat and make sure they had steaming hot coffee," she finished with a smile.
"I see how this works," Logan laughed, "Coffee is the key to your heart."
"Yep," Rory nodded with a laugh, "And you've just figured it out now?"
He shrugged, "I'm slow," and she leaned back into him again. They sat there awhile in silence and Logan played with loose strands of her hair.
"Hey Ace," he said suddenly, grabbing her attention.
"Hey babe," she quipped back.
"Marry me?" he asked, letting the question linger in the air.
She once again pulled away from him and sat upright, facing him. "Marry you?" she repeated his words, but not in the airy tone he'd used, but hesitantly and seriously.
"Yeah," he nodded, "Marry me."
"But," Rory swallowed, "I am marrying you. Uh…"
"I haven't forgotten about the contract," he interrupted gently, "But imagine there was no contract…" he paused, letting his words sink in. Rory's slightly sun-burnt faced was scrunched up in surprise.
"So, no contract?" she asked after a few moments of contemplation.
"Right," he nodded smiling, "And I asked you, casually, to marry me…"
"Like a real proposal?" she asked with wide eyes.
"Like a real proposal," Logan nodded in reply. "Definitely like a real proposal. What would you say?" he asked softly.
"Well," Rory said, after another few moments of stunned silence, "I guess I would have to hear this real proposal, because I know the fake one wasn't very good…" she shot him a coy smile.
"I know," he nodded as he got up from the bench he and Rory had been relaxing peacefully on and stood before her.
"Rory," he started seriously, but decided that that wasn't the right tone, "Ace," he corrected, "I often wonder if we would be here together on this boat if we did live in a world without contracts. I like to think so, because I know our love cannot be defined in legal writing on expensive paper," he smiled, "I'd like to think I loved you from the moment my five-year old self laid eyes on you, but I know my five-year old self couldn't grasp that concept. Hell, my fifteen-year old self couldn't grasp that concept and really, my nineteen-year old self probably wouldn't have acted on his feelings, had it not been for that slimy guy in the bar."
Rory smiled at the memories, though small tears were forming in her eyes as he continued, "So, maybe I was a little slow, but I don't regret anything and I do love you, Ace, so much more than you can imagine. You surprise me every day. Like, just today, found out you would like to go to Alaska in the middle of February, even though you hate the cold…," he sighed deeply, and dropped to one knee, "Ace, I want us to spend the rest of our lives together… will you marry me?"
She sat there in stunned silence and her eyes shined with emotion. It was a good proposal. One she was sure he would have given if there hadn't been any contracts involved. He loved her regardless. It was perfect.
"Ace?" Logan asked hesitantly, after a few moments of silence. He knew he was making her an offer she couldn't refuse, in a legal sense, but still; he would have liked her to spill some of her emotions. He just had, and he thought she felt the same.
"Yes," Rory nodded, "Yes, of course," she said, letting herself fall off the bench and into his arms.
"You had me worried there, Ace," he laughed, before kissing her.
"You caught me off guard," she admitted, "It was a good proposal."
"Better than the first?" he asked smirking.
"Yeah," she nodded, 'Definitely better than the first."
He smiled widely, before planting another kiss on her lips. Then, he stood up and got the champagne bottle and two flutes. Meanwhile, Rory got their beach blankets from the bench and laid them out on the deck, giving them a cozier place to sit. He presented her with a tiny velvet box.
"It's not a ring, okay," he warned, "I didn't want to get you something you couldn't wear."
Rory nodded understandingly as she fingered her sapphire ring Logan had given her so many years ago. "It's not about the jewelry," she laughed softly.
"Remember that on our anniversary," he shot back, surprised by how comfortably they'd fallen back into their 'usual' banter.
She smirked at him and opened the box. "Oh, babe, they are georgeous," she gushed, as she lightly touched the sapphire studs the box contained. "They match my ring," she said, touched.
"I know," he smiled back at her. "So, good surprise?"
"Great surprise," she nodded happily, once more leaning into her nook and letting her head rest on his broad chest.
"Marriage," Rory said, looking at him, "It seems so real now,"
"I know," Logan said slowly, as he dropped his head to whisper in his ear. "No regrets, though, right?"
"No," Rory shook her head, "No regrets.
Mitchum Huntzberger survived his bypass operation but his recovery would be a long, hard one. A stress-free environment was needed in order for him to have a full recovery. For Logan, this meant gaining full, yet unwanted, control of the Huntzberger Publishing Group, much to Rory's dismay.
She loved him and knew that this was needed for her family; however, she did not know if it was worth risking all the progress she had made in Europe with her husband. They barely saw each other, though Rory knew that Logan was trying to 'schedule her in'. She hated that feeling, but it beat never seeing him.
Besides, Rory was busy, too. She had week's worth of things to catch up on at the DAR and she made it a point to visit Mitchum every other day, as well as planning Stephanie's baby shower. She needed to stay busy, like Logan. She was new and improved, upbeat, bright and shiny.
She was just leaving the hospital when her phone rang. She smiled looking at the display. It was Logan.
"Hey babe," she answered with a grin, "What's up? Asian investors giving you a headache, or that new secretary brining you coffee with Splenda instead of real sugar?"
Logan let out a content laugh. He cherished these calls he had with her. "Nope, just checking in," he replied, "What are you up to?"
"Just saw your Dad," she said, "He's looking better. We talked about how bad the Post is getting…"
"You're a brave woman, talking to Mitchum about business voluntarily!" He laughed, "No regrets?"
"Nah," she shrugged, "It's part of this new and improved thing I'm working on," she admitted sheepishly.
"It's working for you, Ace," he complimented her, without sounding patronizing. It was true, he was honestly impressed at how smoothly she adjusted back to Hartford living.
"You are not doing so bad yourself, Mister HPG," she retorted, as she stepped in to the town car that awaited her.
"Yeah, well," he sighed tiredly. Rory knew he hated being Mister HPG, but he had no choice, at least not for now. So, all he could do was suck it up and hope for the best. It was what it was.
"Are you home for dinner tonight?" she asked, taking a sip from the mocha latte she held in her left hand.
"Well," he sighed, and Rory knew this meant he had some type of function to attend. A dinner-charity or drinks and finger food networking event at some swanky hotel, or skybox deals at some baseball game.
"There's this thing for the Williamson Group, and we are trying to get them as investors…"
"What's the function?" Rory said, cutting to the chase.
"River cruise and jazz?" he answered, apologies lacing his tone. She smiled inwardly as she had been close to guessing the actual event.
"Not as spectacular as the one in Paris, I presume," Rory replied jokingly.
"Unless you find fifty seventy year old guys in ill-fitting tuxes a turn on…"
"Well, if you put it that way," she laughed, "Count me in."
"Really?" he asked surprised.
"Yeah," she nodded, "New and improved, right, babe?"
"You're the best, Ace!" Logan exclaimed, before taking a sip of his coffee , "Chanel has some dresses on layaway; get something new, if you'd like."
"Okay," Rory nodded.
"Look, I've got to go. There is freakin' Splenda in my coffee and some meeting is scheduled in five…"
"Ha! I knew about the Splenda," Rory chuckled through the phone, "Go, go, get some real coffee before the meeting!" she urged, letting him know she was okay. "I'll see you tonight."
"Love you," he said and hung up, not waiting to hear her response.
"Love you, too," Rory said silently, in the backseat of the town car. She decided not to dwell on this. It was no big deal. Tonight another night of getting dressed up, sharing a meal with Logan and the old musty Society Crowd Mitchum rubbed shoulders with and this is what she needed to focus on. She needed a dress.
She glanced at her watch. Lane wouldn't be able to come shopping since the twins were napping, Stephanie was at her sonogram with Colin and Lorelai and Chris were in New York on business.
Well, it didn't matter. She was new, improved and held no regrets. It was time for a new dress and, she decided looking down at her nails, a manicure.
Well?