The Thrill of the Chase

eleven

Robert - Hey, Would you be willing to join me for a date on Thursday night?

Rory - Thursday night? Sure, I'm busy Thursday afternoon but I should be free after 7.

Robert - So I could pick you up at 8?

Rory - 8 would be great x

Robert - Ok, see you then x

Colin, Robert and Logan were walking across the quad late on Thursday afternoon. They all had lectures near each other that all got out at the same time, so each Thursday they would go for a drink after their classes. This Thursday was no different, as they walked across the bustling quad Colin was regaling them all with stories about his latest conquest.

"She was so flexible, I've never seen anyone get into half the positions she was in," Colin said wistfully.

"We get it, you're getting laid," Logan snapped.

"I thought you were still getting laid, just not by Rory?" Robert asked, looking at his blonde friend in shock.

"I am but-"

"Guys! Do you see what I see?" Colin shouted, interrupting Robert and Logan and pulling them off to the side.

"What am I looking at?" Robert asked, rolling his eyes at his friend.

"There," Colin exclaimed point in front of them, "Isn't that reporter girl?"

Robert and Logan both looked around the bush Colin had pulled them behind, and there sure enough was Rory standing laughing and smiling with a tall brunette man. Rory was dressed casually, just in jeans and a blazer, while her date was in khakis and a green button down shirt.

"Yes, that's Ace," Logan confirmed, as his face hardened taking in the scene.

"She said she was busy this afternoon, this is not what I expected," Robert said, watching them. Rory was laughing, and acting very familiar with the man, touching his arm, playfully smacking his chest. She looked like she knew him well and was very comfortable with him.

As the group continued to overtly watch Rory, nowhere near as hidden as they thought, the brunette man turned and walked to put his cup in the garbage can, giving them all a good look at the man.

"That's Christopher Hayden!" Colin gasped.

"As in the black sheep of society?" Logan queried, looking closer at the older man.

"He would have to be 15 or more years older than her," Robert stated, looking contemplative.

"At least," Colin answered. "He has quite the reputation, I wouldn't have thought that Rory would be around someone like that, nevermind date."

"We don't know they are dating, they could have just bumped into each other," Robert protested.

"Where? The Gilmore's and the Hayden's don't talk, so they wouldn't socialize together," Logan stated.

As the men watched, they saw the man, Chris, lean into Rory giving her a tight hug and a kiss on the head, before walking off in the opposite direction. They saw Rory watch him for a minute before leaving in the direction of her dorm.

"What are you guys going to do?" Colin asked, turning to look at his friends.

"Do? About what?" Robert asked, confusion obvious on his face as he looked at Colin.

"Rory! It's pretty obvious you have competition from an older man." Colin replied, looking at Robert as though he was an idiot.

"So?" Robert answered.