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A fortnight later Rory received a phonecall. She turned off the TV and answered.
"Hey."
"Hi, Jess."
Rory knew it would be him before she'd answered. She curled her legs up on the armchair she was sitting in.
"So...how're things?"
"Things are good."
"Good."
There was a pause and Jess asked,
"So did you still want to catch up?"
"Sure," Rory said awkwardly and Jess added,
"For coffee? Or any other kind of beverage, I'm not fussy."
Rory laughed, dispelling some of her nervousness.
"Coffee's good."
"It is?"
"Yeah, it is. Have you finished moving?"
"Almost. I mean, my stuff's here but it's kind of a sty. More stuff than floor."
"Yeah? What kind of stuff?"
"Books and such."
"I wouldn't call it a waste of floor. Depends on the such."
"I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you."
Rory laughed again and Jess asked,
"So you still want to get coffee?"
"Yes," Rory said, her brightness flickering and Jess said,
"Saturday? I know a place."
"Okay."
Jess didn't reply but Rory could picture his nod of assent.
"Washington Square Park?"
"What?" Rory said, blinking, and Jess said,
"Washington Square Park. Can I meet you there? At eleven?"
"Okay," Rory said. "It's a date."
"A date?"
"A plan," Rory said stupidly. "Not a date, a plan. I mean –"
"I know what you mean," Jess said, chuckling. "I'll see you there. Bye, Rory."
"Bye, Jess."
Rory hung up, biting her lip. Now that she had agreed to see Jess her braveness was beginning to fade and Rory resisted the urge to call Jess straight back and make an excuse to cancel. All the same, she thought as she wandered into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee, she was curious to see him again. Before she had remembered the hurt from the last time they'd met, she'd enjoyed bantering with Jess, simply talking to him. They could always pick up where they left off and Rory smiled unknowingly as she turned the switch.
Intrigue was replaced by nervousness on Saturday. Rory settled on a pair of jeans and simple blue shirt before setting off to meet Jess. It was warm and sticky outside and Rory wished she'd chosen a skirt but it was too late to change. She realised halfway there that she hadn't arranged where exactly in the park they should meet but felt too shy to call again. It still felt weird that she had agreed to it and Rory hadn't told anyone, not even Lorelai. Rory wondered what her mother would say and shook the thought away, walking faster. The city shimmered in the heat but she didn't slow her pace. Rory reached the park, deciding to call if she couldn't find Jess, but there was no need. He was standing at the entrance wearing jeans, a plain short-sleeved shirt and smile on his face, hands in the tips of his pockets. Rory smiled too and hurried to meet him.
"Hey."
"Hi," Jess said. "You found it."
"I know where the park is," Rory said defensively. "I've lived here a while now, not like last time."
"I know," Jess said, sounding amused. "I just meant I didn't tell you where I'd be."
"Oh," Rory said, embarrassed. "I figured I'd just walk around until I saw you."
"A wise plan. Shall we?"
Rory hesitated and Jess asked,
"What?"
"Nothing," Rory said quickly, shaking her head. "Let's go."
Jess nodded and led the way, Rory following. She snuck a look over her head to the park, not voicing her secret wish to see the bench where she had found him all those years ago. It seemed pointless now.
Jess took her to a small coffee shop away from the main streets. It was simple inside, painted blue with pictures on the wall, the air mercifully cool, and Rory said,
"I love it."
"You do?"
"It's a real hole in the wall," Rory said happily, taking a chair in the corner. "It's not obvious at all."
"Yeah, well, I can't stand those kind of places. You know, the ones with food in the name."
"Right," Rory agreed and, although Jess made no comment, she knew he was thinking of the bar he'd gone to with her and Logan. It didn't have food in its title but both knew it fit the criteria all the same.
"Danish?"
"What?"
"They do danishes here," Jess said. "I figured you'd want one with your coffee."
"Oh," Rory said, feeling stupid. "Yes, I would. Thanks."
Jess looked at her knowingly and asked,
"Are you nervous?"
"Yeah. A little."
"Me too."
Rory smiled, feeling relieved. She crossed her hands on the menu in front of her and Jess said,
"We're doing okay so far."
Rory looked up, unsure how to answer, but he changed the conversation for her.
"So how about Luke and Lorelai getting together?"
"Yeah," Rory said, unfolding her hands. "I knew it had to happen eventually."
"You did?"
"Yeah. They broke up before but they were so in love. I wasn't surprised when they got back together. It was a matter of time."
"Really?" Jess said. "Huh."
Rory felt her cheeks go red and, annoyed with herself, said,
"You don't agree?"
"No, I do. I just didn't know you thought it too."
"Of course I did," Rory said. Jess nodded and she said,
"I'm actually seeing Mom next weekend."
"I hear she's running her own inn now."
"And awesome at it too," Rory said. Jess grinned and just then the man behind the counter came to take their order. He was dressed similar to them and greeted Jess by name.
"This is Rory," Jess said. "An old friend."
"An old friend, huh?" the man smirked. "What'll you have?"
"Coffee and danish, please," Rory said and Jess added,
"Same here. Thanks, Bill."
Bill disappeared back behind the counter and Jess said,
"This guy makes the best coffee in town. You'll like it, it's twice as strong as anywhere else."
Rory smiled but her thoughts were still caught on the old friend comment and privately she wondered what Jess had said about her, if anything at all. She wasn't sure which she preferred and was glad to see Bill bring the drinks over, saving her from asking.
"So you haven't really told me what you're doing here," Rory said, picking up her cup. "What you're doing in New York, I mean."
"Truncheon stuff," Jess said, tearing off part of his pastry. "We might be opening a branch here."
"Wow, seriously? That's so cool."
"It doesn't suck," Jess grinned. "Plus it makes a change from that apartment with Chris."
"To one with no floor," Rory replied, thinking of her last visit. "With stuff all over the place."
"Books and such. Don't forget the such."
"That's right. What kind of such? Embarrassing music?"
"You'd have to judge for yourself."
Jess grinned and Rory felt herself blush again, unsure if it was just a comment or an invitation. She sipped her coffee instead of answering and Jess said,
"What about you? You still doing the same thing?"
"I have the same job."
"What about him?" Jess asked cautiously. "Are you still together?"
"No," Rory said briefly. "We broke up."
It didn't really hurt to say out loud anymore but Rory looked away all the same. She didn't think she could bear it if Jess said he was glad, or that Paul was a jerk, or, most painfully, that he'd known they would. Rory stared at the dark liquid in her cup, remembering what Jess had said, how she only wanted to love him, but Jess simply said,
"That's too bad."
Rory lifted her head but there was no sarcasm in his voice and she nodded silently. She looked carefully at Jess, wondering if he was about to ask further, why they had split up, but to her relief he changed the subject.
"Do you live near here?"
"Not too far," Rory said, glad she didn't have to explain. "Just a few blocks. It's small but I like it."
Jess nodded and Rory asked,
"Where's your new place?"
"Not too far from the park."
"Did Chris move with you?"
"No," Jess said. "It's just me, for now. And the books."
He grinned at her and Rory smiled shyly in return. Jess ate the last of his danish and remarked,
"I thought you were going to make a crack about hiding bad music again."
"Got distracted by coffee," Rory said quickly, making him laugh. "I need more caffeine."
"I believe that," Jess said. His voice was light but he looked serious when Rory looked into his eyes and, to stop feeling uncertain, she said,
"Do you remember Paris Geller? She moved here a few months ago."
"Huh," Jess said. "I wonder if she'd still kill me for liking Bukowski."
There was a teasing tone in his voice this time and Rory laughed out loud.
"Probably. She's in cancer research now. She's working on a special program for med school."
"That's cool. Are you still friends with Lane?"
"Of course. She's still in Stars Hollow – she's married and she's a mom."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously. Sometimes I can't believe it."
"Does she still do the band thing?"
"When she has time to practise."
Jess nodded but didn't say anything and Rory drained the last of her drink.
"This really is good coffee," she said admiringly and Jess laughed in turn.
"I told you."
"I had to taste it first."
"You don't trust my judgement?"
"I do," Rory said. "Just had to find out myself."
Jess smiled and Rory began feeling awkward again. Sweat trickled down her back. They slipped into silence and Rory waited for Jess to finish his own coffee, trying not to stare. Instead, she looked around the room, admiring the paintings and photographs and it didn't seem too long before Jess said he was ready to go. He paid for their drinks, insisting it was his treat, and they walked without saying anything back to the subway. The silence was more companionable than uncomfortable and Rory enjoyed the late morning warmth on her arms and face. She was almost sad to stop when they reached the subway steps.
"It was good seeing you," Jess said, his voice a little hesitant. "You look good."
"Thanks," Rory said, and, noticing her tone, Jess said,
"You look well, I mean."
"I know what you mean. So do you."
Jess nodded. For a moment they stood still, not saying anything, and then Jess broke the silence.
"So do you want to catch up again?" he said. "For coffee or something?"
"That'd be cool," Rory agreed. "Hear about your books and such."
"Hey, no promises," Jess and they both laughed. He reached over, deftly touched Rory's arm and said,
"See you, Rory."
"See you, Jess."
He nodded and waited until she had descended the steps. Rory glanced behind her, seeing his footsteps disappear, still feeling the warmth of his fingers. It was only when she was back in her own apartment, making her own coffee, that Rory noticed her own hands were trembling and the heart in her chest was fluttering like a young bird. She drank a bottle of water while waiting for the coffee to brew and realised that they had not brought up their fight once, aside from acknowledging feeling nervous. Rory poured, drank and, as she scalded her tongue, wondered if it was good or not. Either way, she thought, she had enjoyed seeing Jess. She'd been happy to see him, happy to talk to him, her old friend, as he had described. Rory finished her drink and went to shower and, despite the clammy water, the arm Jess touched still felt warm and there was a heat inside the water couldn't wash away.