The Maine Event

Chapter 23

"ETA 5 minutes," Logan texted Rory from the car, after they had been running a little late. He was bringing Jess over for dinner after a long day at the office. Rory texted Odette, who was upstairs, the same message, not feeling like climbing three floors of stairs.

Rory glanced over the kitchen that now contained all the food the caterer had brought over half an hour ago. While the appetizers and the creme brulee would survive, she realized she might have to reheat the Chicken Chow Mein, which was not ideal, but it couldn't be helped. It wasn't her fault they were late and it was not like she, Jess or Logan had never eated leftovers - even if Odette might complain a bit. 

She marched to the bedroom, glancing one last look to the mirror. She'd worn a knee-length blue column dress and a light beige cardigan over it, comfortable but still a little sophisticated. She checked her makeup, not that she wore a lot, but it gave her something to do to pass the time. If she really thought of it - it kind of felt like getting ready for Friday night dinner, which she actually missed a little.

Rory didn't even know why, but somehow seeing Jess face-to-face after nearly half a year, in this house, Odette's house, and having to tell him she'd gotten married to Logan and were living in a way double lives at the moment - felt somehow intimidating. His opinion of her mattered to her more than she'd realized before. Also, while she knew Jess and Logan worked together, she wasn't really used to seeing them together. It was not like the last time the three of them had been anywhere together had exactly gone well. But she needed to trust Logan's word that the two had moved past those times.

"So who is this guy again?" Odette asked casually from the doorway, checking where Rory was. Odette had worn a simple yellow eyelet blouse along with a pair of blue slim ⅞ cigarette pants. This was clearly not Odette's usual dinner party outfit, somehow she seemed mellower and more relaxed, probably because she knew this wasn't the typical business dinner.

"Jess is an old friend, like way back, from the time I went to high school. He's my step-dad's nephew, and now he's a good friend and we're connected through work as well," Rory explained, applying a tiny bit of lip gloss.

"An ex?" Odette inquired curiously, trying to read her nervousness.

"Uh-uh!" Rory admitted hastily, hearing Logan's voice from the foyer. She was relieved for not having to go into detail on the details of that relationship. She stepped past Odette to greet them. 

"Hey!" Rory greeted, giving Logan a small kiss in greeting.

"Hi," Jess replied, realizing just then how much of a deja vu this situation appeared, adding, "Good to see you, you look... better," honestly. 

She'd looked lost, tired and defeated when he'd seen her in Stars Hollow last. Now she looked like a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and he couldn't help but to wonder how much of that was Logan's doing. Jess had cleaned up nicely for his business ventures, wearing a dark brown corduroy suit, possibly vintage, on top of a pair of dark blue jeans.

"Hello," Odette greeted, offering a friendly faire la bise, on both of his cheeks, continuing to greet Logan as well.

"Jess, this is Odette, Odette, this is Jess," Logan introduced the two, not bothering with the last names.

"Odette is a friend of ours... and publicly she's Logan's wife for the time being. But actually I am," Rory exhaled, and held her breath for his response.

"Huh!" Jess reacted, raising his eyebrows slightly in surprise. 

"I know it's weird, but I assure you - it's very temporary. Don't worry we haven't gone mormon or anything," Logan tried to laugh at his own expense.