In The Forgotten Gilmore, Alessia Gilmore grapples with adolescence in Stars Hollow, a town where gossip flows as freely as coffee at Luke's Diner. Overshadowed by her mother Lorelai's bond with twin sister Rory, Alessia finds solace in her irrevere...
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A few days had passed since the party, and while Riley and Beau were still navigating the unspoken tension between them, Alessia had her own situation to deal with—namely, Logan.
She sat on the couch in her dorm, absently scrolling through her phone as she waited for Logan to pick her up. Across the room, Riley was sprawled out on the other end of the couch, flipping through channels on the TV. His eyes were rimmed with dark circles, more pronounced than usual. Alessia had noticed that he'd been sleeping even less lately, though she hadn't said anything. Riley was the type to brush it off, and Alessia didn't feel like pushing it.
"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Riley asked, his voice tinged with mild curiosity, but there was an undertone of exhaustion that he couldn't quite hide.
Alessia shrugged. "Logan's picking me up. He said we're going out, but I'm not sure where. Probably some over-the-top Logan Huntzberger thing, knowing him."
Riley chuckled softly, his eyes barely focused on the TV. "So, basically, dinner in a castle or a helicopter ride over Boston?"
"Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me at this point," Alessia replied, smirking. "He likes to make an entrance."
"Sounds exhausting," Riley muttered, rubbing his temples. He yawned but didn't move to stretch out or relax further. Instead, he reached for a glass of water and took a long sip, as if the act itself might stave off the weariness hanging over him.
"You good?" Alessia asked, pretending not to notice the fatigue etched into his features.
"Yeah," Riley said quickly, too quickly. "Just didn't sleep great last night. Or the night before that... or the one before that."
Alessia nodded, trying to keep the concern out of her expression. She knew Riley had been dealing with insomnia for a while now, but it seemed to be getting worse lately. Still, she didn't press him. Riley wasn't the type to appreciate the fuss. Instead, she shifted the conversation back to Logan.
"Honestly, this date could be anything. I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up at some fancy underground club or a private island," Alessia said, keeping the tone light.
Riley smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Well, at least he keeps things interesting."
"Yeah, and expensive," Alessia added, rolling her eyes. "Sometimes it feels like he's trying to impress me, but I don't think he really needs to."
"I guess that's his thing," Riley said, flicking through the channels absentmindedly. "It's just how he operates."
Alessia's phone buzzed, and she glanced at it to see a message from Logan: *Outside when you're ready.*
"That's my cue," Alessia said, standing up and grabbing her bag.
"Have fun," Riley said, his eyes drifting back to the TV, though Alessia could tell he wasn't really paying attention to it.
"You sure you're okay?" Alessia asked, pausing for just a moment, though she already knew he would brush it off.
Riley waved her off with a small smile. "I'm fine. Go enjoy your over-the-top date."
Alessia gave him a nod before heading out the door, letting the quiet concern sit between them unspoken. She wasn't going to push him, but it gnawed at her all the same.
---
Logan was leaning casually against his car when Alessia stepped outside. He was wearing his usual look—effortlessly cool, with just the right amount of rumpled charm. His smile widened when he saw her.
"Alessia Gilmore," he said, pushing off the car with a theatrical flourish as he opened the door for her. "Ready for a little adventure?"
Alessia raised an eyebrow, already suspicious. "I thought we were just grabbing coffee?"
Logan grinned, leaning closer. "Where's the fun in just coffee? I've got something better in mind."
"Why am I not surprised?" Alessia muttered under her breath, but she couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips as she slid into the car.
Logan joined her on the driver's side, revving the engine as they pulled away from the dorm. "Trust me, you'll love it."
"Should I be worried?" Alessia asked, her tone playful but curious.
"Only if you hate surprises," Logan quipped, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
The night unfolded in classic Logan fashion. He had taken her to a swanky rooftop bar that overlooked the entire city, the kind of place where you had to know someone to even get in. There was a private table waiting for them, candlelit, with a view that made Boston look like a glittering jewel below.
"Impressed?" Logan asked, leaning back in his chair, his eyes gleaming.
Alessia shook her head, smirking. "This is definitely... something."
"Something good, I hope," Logan teased, lifting his glass in a mock toast.
"I guess I can let it slide this time," Alessia replied, clinking her glass against his.
As the night went on, Logan kept the conversation light, weaving in humor and flirtation effortlessly, just as he always did. But Alessia couldn't help but notice how tired he looked. Beneath the charm and confidence, there were subtle signs—the faint lines around his eyes, the way his hand occasionally lingered near his temple, as if trying to soothe an ache.
She didn't mention it, though. Alessia knew Logan was like Riley in that way—both of them hated admitting when something was wrong. So instead, she let herself enjoy the moment, the night sky above them, and the comfortable banter that came so easily between them.
As the evening drew to a close, Logan drove her back to campus, the city lights fading behind them. He walked her to her dorm, his usual swagger a little more subdued, but his smile still in place.
"Thanks for tonight," Alessia said, pausing at the door.
Logan leaned in, his eyes glinting in the low light. "Anytime, Harvard."
The nickname sent a familiar warmth through her, and before she could second-guess it, Logan leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. It was brief, tender, and left her heart racing.
"Goodnight, Gilmore," he said, pulling back, his hand lingering on her waist for just a moment longer before stepping away.
"Goodnight," she whispered, watching as he disappeared into the night.
Back inside, Alessia found Riley still on the couch, the TV now turned off, but his eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. She didn't say anything, just grabbed her pajamas and headed for her room.
The weight of the night lingered in the air, but like so many things between her and Riley, it remained unspoken.
