The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Fourty-Four: Escaping Campus

The sun was high as the three of them—Riley, Beau, and Alessia—headed off campus for a much-needed break. Classes had been relentless lately, and they all agreed that a trip to the mall was the perfect way to decompress. Beau, freshly cleared to play hockey again, was in high spirits, glad to be back to some form of normalcy after his wrist injury.

As they entered the mall, Beau grinned at the array of shops. "Finally, I can actually get out of that dorm. I thought I'd go crazy."

Riley gave him a side glance, amused. "You're not the type to stay still for long."

Alessia led the way, already eyeing a display of cozy fall sweaters in one of the storefronts. "I've been meaning to get something for fall—there's a new collection I want to check out."

They wandered in and out of stores, Beau's chatter filling the space between them. Alessia sifted through racks of knit scarves and oversized sweaters, her hands running over soft fabrics as she held a few items up to check them out in the mirror.

Meanwhile, Beau held up a pair of aviators, inspecting them.

"Should I get them?" he asked, turning to Alessia.

She gave him a skeptical look. "I thought you didn't care about stuff like this."

"I don't," Beau replied, striking a ridiculous pose with the aviators. "But Riley said I'd look cool, so..."

Riley, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. "Did I?"

Beau smirked, lowering the glasses with mock disappointment. "Okay, you didn't, but I could tell you were thinking it."

They both laughed, and Riley shook his head. "Yeah, get them. You need all the help you can get."

Alessia rolled her eyes, holding up a soft burgundy sweater for herself. "I can't take you two anywhere."

Beau tossed the aviators into the growing pile of items he was collecting. "What can I say? I've got great taste."

"You've got a taste," Riley muttered under his breath, causing Beau to shove him lightly with his shoulder, both of them grinning. The flirtatious undercurrent between them crackled in the air, but Alessia, too caught up in her fall wardrobe shopping, remained oblivious.

After a few more stores, they decided to grab lunch in the food court—pizza for Riley and Beau, sushi for Alessia—and continued their conversation while people-watching the mall crowd.

"So, when's your first game back?" Riley asked, pulling off a piece of pepperoni and tossing it in his mouth.

"Two weeks from now, but I'll just be warming up for that one," Beau answered. "Coach isn't letting me go hard until I'm 100 percent."

"Better safe than sorry," Riley said, before adding with a playful grin, "Don't want you missing out on more mall trips."

Beau laughed. "Wouldn't dream of it."

After lunch, they left the mall, the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the sidewalk. The trio strolled down the street, popping in and out of small, local shops and enjoying the crisp autumn air. A slight breeze rustled the trees as they moved, the relaxed mood making the day feel almost surreal.

Alessia stopped in front of a boutique, admiring a window display of fall jackets and boots. But as they continued down the street, she froze.

Logan.

He was sitting at a small outdoor café with another girl, laughing at something she said. His usual charming smile was on full display, his focus completely on the girl across from him. The pang of unexpected emotion hit Alessia hard, and though their relationship was casual—no strings, no exclusivity—it still stung. She hadn't expected to feel like this seeing him with someone else.

Riley, noticing her pause, stepped closer. "You okay?"

Alessia forced a smile. "Yeah, just thought I saw something." She resumed walking, pushing the moment aside as best she could. Beau and Riley exchanged a quick glance, sensing something but choosing not to press her on it.

As they moved past the café, Logan's laughter carried on the wind, but Alessia kept walking, determined not to look back.