A/N:

Bold is Rory

Italic is Tristan.

I'm not entirely happy with my formatting for this one, so I apologise in advance!


The following Monday morning, Rory was just finishing drying her hair when her cell beeped, with an exasperated sigh she moved to check her phone, fearing for the worst with such an early text on a Monday, it couldn't be a good thing.

Good morning Mare, I hope that you have a good day, and that it is just as nice as day in NYC as here x

Rory was pleasantly surprised to see it was from Tristan, and it looked like he had remembered part of their conversation at dinner last week.

Tristan! You scared me. I haven't even had my coffee yet, I was preparing for the worst to get such an early text on a Monday.

I was hoping I'd be early enough that you weren't awake yet. Looks like I need to aim for earlier next time.

Monday's are always an early day, departmental meeting each week at 8:30.

That's no good! We have ours on Thursday afternoons for some reason. I think it is because the partners like to take long weekends a lot and a dept meeting on a Mon/Fri would show that.

True, I also need to discuss my more active schedule with my boss, so I'm hoping he is in a good mood. I ordered the fancy bagels for this week.

OOO the fancy bagels, going all out? I hope you got the good cream cheese to match.

Of course! What kind of neanderthal do you think I am?

The fancy kind?

Lol. I have to finish getting ready and get going or I really will be late. Have a good day Tristan, Thank you x

There is nothing to thank me for, have a good day, and good luck with your boss x


Rory had just sat down on her couch with a glass of wine, and a new book, one that she had not been involved with in any way so it didn't remind her of work, when her cell beeped again.

How was your day? X

It was ok. Tristan, you don't have to text me everyday, I wasn't hinting at that last week.

Just ok doesn't sound like a great day, what did your boss say about the Hayden group stuff. And I want to text you, when you said that last week, I realized you were right, it would be nice to have someone to talk to like that. So this is me, trying to give us each someone to talk to until we eventually settle down.

Rory had to laugh at the matter of fact way that he put it, while also realizing that he was correct. If they could each provide that comfort to a friend until they found a proper partner, they should.

Work was ok, my boss was fine about it. He knows it's mainly a figurehead position and I can do a lot of my editing work remotely if I need to, and I already read more new manuscripts than I'm supposed to.

I bet you are reading one now, with a glass of wine.

Ha jokes on you, I'm reading something already published, and by a different company!

Bet you have the wine though.

Ok, you got me there. How was your day?

Hang on, you didn't tell me what happened to make your day blah? My day was good, I sent a new copy of my plans for approval by the client so I am just waiting to see if I need to make any changes.

Awesome, I hope they like them, what you mentioned you were doing sounded great to me anyway. Theo, he made my day blah. Simply by contacting me. I am seeing him tomorrow for supper.

Would I be correct in assuming that you are simply seeing him to end things in person? Or is that a false hope?

No, you are correct. My plan is to cut ties with him, it's going nowhere, and if he makes me feel like this after two months, what's the point?

Good! Well not good, but you deserve better, and as your friend I like to see that you recognise your value. Cause Rory, you are awesome, you deserve better than a douche who hits on people the second your back is turned, without adding in that it was your Mom.

Thanks. I am going to try and relax now. Have a good night. X


How did the supper go?

Awful

Oh no. why?

He wouldn't accept the easy line of it's just not working

So did you have to do a full explanation?

Yep. I had to burst his bubble and tell him that my Mom told me about him hitting on her, then I had to mention about how he just seemed to want to use me for my contacts at the gala, and that I could never be with someone who was with me simply for my position in the business world, so that they could try and use it to further their own standing.

I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself. What did he say after that? Or did he just leave with his tail between his legs like he should?

No, he had the gall to sit there and tell me that I just didn't understand how the law world worked, and that he could help me understand it so that I could run the business better.

He did not!

He did!

He really believes that I should stay with him and let him help me run the company, ideally letting him take over.

Holy cow. I am speechless. I can't believe someone actually thinks like that. What did you do?

I was very calm and controlled.

Sure you were. What did you do?

I simply got up, threw a fifty down to cover my half of the bill and left without saying anything else. I walked calmly out of the restaurant.

Wow. I am impressed you managed to stay calm. What an asshole.

And this is why I am single!

Well at least you have an example the next time Emily asks.

True.

Now seriously, do you need anything?

Chocolate?

If I was in town I would be there with some.


The next day, Rory was at her desk when her assistant knocked before entering.

"A package just came for you, do you want me to bring it in or leave it for later?" she asked.

"What is it?" Rory asked, she hadn't been expecting anything, but occasionally printers were ahead of schedule with print runs.

"It was a private courier. I thought maybe you ordered lunch or something."

"I didn't order lunch, but sure bring it in." Rory said with a smile, watching as the parcel was brought in. It was a medium sized plain box with no markings on it at all. "Was there anything with it?"

"Nothing at all. I wonder if there is something inside."

"Okay thanks, you can leave it with me," Rory said, dismissing her assistant. Once she was alone Rory moved to open the box, inside she quickly found a card.

A day late, but hopefully still wanted but not essential

Bible Boy x

Smiling, Rory continued to unbox the package, pulling out some brown and orange boxes. She was surprised to see the logo, Jacques Torres Chocolate. Opening the boxes she found a selection of cookies, a box of macarons, and a box of different flavored chocolate bonbons. She was quick to pick up and pop one of the brown macarons in her mouth, knowing from experience that they were chocolate ganache flavor.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You did not need to do that but I greatly appreciate it. How did you even know that was my favorite chocolate store?

Oh good you got them!

I did. Thank you. I will have to pay you back.

Don't even think of it. You are one of my best friends, you were sad. If I can do something even as small as placing a telephone order and make you this happy. I am going to do it.

Still you don't have to. Next time you are in the city, drinks are on me.

I wanted to. Sounds like a plan, have a good day at work, I'll talk to you later.