Finding Rory

Chapter 9: Don't Want to Lose You

Rory sat down on the bed in Tristan's guest room and took a deep breath while she considered her options. She could call Logan first and get that conversation over with, or she could call Paris first and get a pep talk for the harder of the two conversations. Making a quick decision, Rory decided that she should call Paris first. She could always count on Paris to give her a harsh but needed dose of reality, especially when it came to Logan Huntzberger. She would need that to fuel her conversation with Logan. She dialed and listened to her phone ring.

"Gellar," Paris barked.

"Hey, Paris. It's Rory. How are you?"

"Well, Doyle's home, so that's progress. I guess he decided LA wasn't all it was cracked up to be and that he missed his family. We haven't lost another nanny to the stairs. All in all, I can't complain. What's new with you, Gilmore?"

"God, so much. I was hoping maybe I could come visit soon? It's been too long."

"Sure. I still have your boxes here waiting for you whenever you'd like them," Paris replied.

"Oh yeah! I'm still looking for my underwear," Rory giggled.

"That's disturbing, Gilmore. What else is new?"

"Well, I have an interview on Wednesday. It's for an Internal Communications Writer at Yale Medical. I thought maybe you could give me some tips and we could talk strategy?"

"I can make time in my schedule for that. Why don't you come down tomorrow?"

"That would be perfect! There was something else, too..." Rory stated hesitantly.

"Well, out with it."

"I need a pep talk."

"You're going to have to be more specific there, Rory."

"I'm about to call Logan and tell him that we're through for good," Rory stated firmly.

"It's about damn time, Gilmore. I've been telling you for years that he's not good enough for you. I don't know what you saw in the manwhore to begin with. You're far too good for him. You need someone like...well, nevermind. We'll discuss that later. You're going to call Logan and you're going to tell that pretty boy in no uncertain terms that your days of being his dirty little secret are over and that you are no longer part of his harem. Don't let him turn on the Huntzberger charm or make you doubt yourself. You deserve better than him."

"I've heard that recently," Rory chuckled. "Alright, I'm going to hang up and call him now while I'm fresh off of that pep talk, and I'll see you tomorrow so we can catch up more and prep for my interview."

"Don't show up at my door if you haven't ditched blondie," Paris barked before hanging up.

She could always count on Paris not to pull any punches. She dialed Logan's number quickly before she could chicken out, not even thinking about the time difference.

"Hey, Ace. I've been trying to get in touch with you for weeks. I was starting to think you were avoiding me."

He sounded so genuinely happy to hear from her, which only made this harder.

"I've had a lot going on," Rory replied quietly.

"So, when can you come visit? It's been too long and I've missed you."

"Logan, I can't. I'm sorry. You're engaged," she replied.

"Ace, you know that's just business. I don't love her," he pleaded.

"That may be, but I...I can't be the other woman anymore, Logan. I deserve more than that, and it's just not right. I wouldn't trade the time that we've spent together for anything, but I just can't do it anymore."

She could hear Logan inhale sharply.

"Is there someone else, Rory?"

"Logan, you have Odette; you don't need me. I have to do this for me. Please respect that. I'm fixing my life. I'm writing a book. It's time for me to move on."

"I love you, Ace," he whispered.

"Please don't say that, Logan. It won't change my mind, but it will make this harder on both of us. I want you to put everything into your engagement and marriage. Learn to love her and be happy with her, and let me find someone to be happy with, too."

"We can be happy together. I could help you find a job and you could move out here. It could work."

"We can't anymore, Logan, and I'm working on finding a job on my own. I actually have an interview at Yale next week. I wish you all the best, really. Thank you for everything over these last fifteen years. I'll forever be grateful for what we've shared. Be happy, Logan," she finished.

She took a deep breath and disconnected the call. It was a hard conversation to have, and part of her was scared to lose that stability, but it was also a relief to have it over with. She was afraid that he would talk her out of it if she stayed on the phone too long. She shook herself from her thoughts walked back toward the living room. Tristan looked up at her the moment she walk in.

"I thought you might like a cup of coffee after your phone calls," he said softly, holding a coffee out toward her.

"You are amazing," she said with a smile. "Thank you."

She walked over to where he was and took the cup of coffee, swallowing a large drink of the delicious brew.

"You make really good coffee," Rory swooned.

"Well, for you I'll make it anytime," Tristan chuckled.

"My hero!"

"Can I ask how your phone calls went?" he asked hesitantly.

"You can. I'm going to go visit Paris tomorrow so we can catch up and prep for my interview."

"That's great, Mare."

"And I broke it off with Logan. I told him that he needed to put everything into his relationship with his fiancée and be happy. I made it clear we were over," she said with a broad grin.

"How does that feel?"

"It feels...I feel really proud of myself, Tris. I did what I needed to do, what I wanted to do, and I didn't let him talk me out of it. It's really over," Rory said with relief.

"I'm so proud of you!" Tristan beamed. "You did the right thing."

"I really did," Rory confirmed, finally sitting down next to Tristan. "What would you say to lunch before I need to head home? My treat."

"I say you're crazy if you think I'm going to let you pay for lunch. Let's go."