"I think it's time for real names," Logan murmurs softly, his voice laced with a mix of anticipation and vulnerability, as he yearns to capture her attention. Now aware of their shared college affiliation and the likelihood of future encounters, he believes it's time to reveal their true identities. She nods silently, a glimmer of excitement shining in her eyes, suggesting that he go first. Taking a deep breath, he finally divulges, "I'm Logan Huntzberger."
Surrounded by the curious gazes of their newsroom peers, it didn't seem to rattle them in the least. They were enclosed in their own little world, unaffected by the prying eyes around them.
"Lorelai Gilmore," she responds, her voice tinged with a hint of shyness. "But everyone calls me Rory."
A thought suddenly strikes Logan's mind, causing his curiosity to emerge. "Do you happen to know Emily and Richard Gilmore?"
She chuckles softly, a melodic sound that dances through the air. "My grandparents," she confirms. "And you're Mitchum and Shira Huntzberger's son." There was no question, but a statement.
Logan's eyes widened in surprise at her confident statement. "You know my parents?" he asks, clearly impressed by her knowledge.
Rory nods, a small smile dancing on her lips. "I've heard a few things about them," she admits, her eyes sparkling with warmth and mischief. She would leave out the fact, she's also heard a lot about him. "The Gilmores and the Huntzbergers... it's a small world in Hartford, isn't it?"
"Now I've read all the books beside your bed."
Logan couldn't get the woman with the last name Gilmore out of his thoughts. The image of her face in the newsroom, their heartfelt exchange of true names, and their promise to see each other more often replayed in his mind. It had only been three days, but he yearned for more time with her.
As the clock struck seven in the morning, a knock on the door startled Logan awake. Groggily, he stumbled out of bed and made his way to the front door. To his delight, he was greeted by a beaming Rory, holding two steaming cups of coffee and a bag from a nearby donut shop. "I ran into your friend last night, Finn," Rory said, her voice filled with excitement. "He told me where you lived, I hope you don't mind."
Logan blinked in surprise, his mind trying to process the information. Finn and Rory ran into each other last night, Finn knowing who she was as Logan brought her a cup of coffee a few days after their meeting in the newsroom. A mixture of amusement and curiosity filled him as he gestured for her to come inside. "Of course I don't mind," Logan replied, closing the door behind them. "I'm glad you found your way here. This is a very wonderful way to start the morning."
Rory's smile widened and she handed him one of the coffee cups. The rich aroma of the brew filled the air, momentarily distracting Logan from his thoughts. "I hope I guessed right, it's a cup of black coffee with a shot of espresso." she says in an almost whisper.
Logan chuckled, feeling a warmth spreading through his being. The undeniable connection they had formed filled him with gratitude as he stood there, realizing how fortunate he was to have Rory in his apartment, holding a cup of coffee and seemingly wanting to spend time with him. And he hoped deep down that this wouldn't be a fleeting encounter.
Savoring the rich flavor of his coffee, a fond smile spread across Logan's face. He expressed his genuine appreciation with a heartfelt, "This is perfect. Thank you." Curiosity sparked within him, and he couldn't resist asking, "I need to ask, what's in the bag?"
Rory replied, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes, "Donuts, about six. I wanted to give you options in case there was something you didn't like." She reached into the bag, taking the first donut, a chocolate donut, and taking a satisfying bite before extending the rest of the bag to him.
Logan observed her for a moment, his heart filled with a mix of surprise and happiness. Never had he envisioned his weekend starting this way, with Rory bringing him breakfast. The gesture touched him deeply. Setting his coffee aside, Logan eagerly reached into the donut bag, his hand instinctively gravitating towards a delectable cherry-flavored treat. "Do you have any plans for the day?" He inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice. They could spend the day together doing something if she didn;t.
"Besides bugging you?" she playfully retorted, her laughter filling the room. Rory strolled leisurely over to the bookshelf affixed to the wall, running her fingers over the spines of the books. A thoughtful pause followed, her eyes meeting his with a mix of sincerity and longing. "I was actually thinking we could spend some time together," she confessed, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "Since Boston, you've been on my mind a lot. It was such a surprise for you to walk back into my life so soon, and I take that as some sort of fate."
"I've been constantly thinking about you ever since the goodbye on," he confessed, his sincerity evident in his words. "The sound of your voice took me back to the first words you said to me."
"Put on some clothes," she instructed nonchalantly, her lips gently grazing the rim of her coffee cup. "I've been considering a trip to the zoo. We haven't visited Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo yet, and it's just a short thirty-minute drive from here. I thought we could enjoy a leisurely day together - a delicious lunch, explore the zoo at our own pace, and make the most of our time."
"That sounds absolutely perfect," he replied with enthusiasm.
"And hey, we should definitely make a pit stop at Trader Joe's," she suggested, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "I've got some delightful snacks in mind for our upcoming movie nights. Trust me, you won't be disappointed." A sense of relief fills Logan, she was already talking about spending time together in the future. She didn't see this as a one off thing.