Meant to Be

CHAPTER 19 - A FRIENDLY BRUNCH

Rory arrived at Colin and Steph's early Sunday morning for the Friendsgiving Brunch with the whole gang. Waiting at home was not an option, she needed to talk things through with someone and Steph was one of her most reliable confidents that never shied away from making her feelings and opinions known.

They were busy in the dining room setting the table when Rory dropped the bombshell:

"Don't worry about having a place setting for Jake. He isn't coming," Rory said softly.

"What do you mean? He promised to bring his mother's famous Pumpkin Pie!" Steph responded.

"We broke up," Rory nearly whispered.

"Are you kidding me? Please tell me you broke up with him. He was a nice guy and everything but he was a little dull and you need someone that's a little more exciting," Steph boasted.

"Actually no, he broke up with me. I told him about Logan and our history and he realized I didn't share his feelings and probably never would. It's for the best. I can focus on work and proving to Claudette that I am ready for that promotion," Rory stated.

"Rory, everyone knew you didn't actually love Jake. He was a nice distraction but please tell me you've reconsidered the whole 'planning your ex's wedding thing' It's just too much," Steph stated.

"I told Claudette everything and begged her to take me off the wedding. It's done. Logan will marry Katie and I won't have to suffer through it," Rory said.

"Finally! But let's be honest Rory, there is no way Logan is going to marry that wanna be socialite. She's everything you're not and for Logan, that's not a good thing. Katie makes Shira and Mitchum happy, so by default, she will never make Logan as happy as he was when he was with you." Steph said.

"I don't know about that but I am going to do my best to get through this brunch with a smile on my face, if it's the last thing I do," Rory said and gave Steph a reassuring smile.

"You'll be fine. Katie, not so much," Steph laughed as the girls left the dining room.

***

It was nearly 11:00AM when the doorbell began ringing. Juliet and Robert arrived together followed by Rosemary and Finn. Everyone settled in to the living room waiting for the last couple to arrive when a knock at the door silenced the room. "It must be Logan. Finally, we can eat," Colin said as he answered the door.

"Sorry man, we were running a little behind this morning," Logan apologized, "Please consider these bottomless mimosas as a peace offering." Logan handed off the bottles of champagne to Colin as Katie followed in behind him.

As everyone made their way to the dinning room table, Logan glanced at Rory and gave her his signature smirk. Rory saw it immediately and felt a bit weak in the knees. One smile from Logan always had that effect on her. If he only knew how intoxicatingly charming he was the entire female population of New York would be under his spell. Fortunately for the Eastern Seaboard, Logan didn't even realize his own charm and was solely focused on one girl that day.

They made quick work of the brunch buffet and chatted effortlessly about their plans for the upcoming Christmas holiday, work, and told stories of their days at Yale.

"Steph, you could always pull off the gorilla mask better than anyone," Rosemary teased.

"Well I always had a knack for fashion. Nothing compliments a mask better than an evening gown," Steph joked back.

"The real fashionista in this group is my boy Logan. Always had a knack for picking out the perfect dress for the females, right Rory?" Finn asked.

"Umm, yeah, I guess he did," Rory responded sheepishly. Logan stared at her, thinking back to just how beautiful she looked in that pale blue dress at their first LDB event together. Lost in his own thoughts he was awoken from his day dreaming as he heard Katie's voice.

"Logan does have great taste. He would always surprise me with something wonderful while we were in London. Soon it will be my turn to surprise him when he sees me in my wedding gown in a few months," Katie shot back.

"How nice for you," Juliet responded, sarcasm dripping from her mouth.

Rory silently shot a look over to Juliet, Steph and Rosemary and mouthed 'drop it' before anyone else had a chance to respond to Katie.

***

As the group sat in the library with their post meal drinks, Rory headed out to the small garden off of the kitchen for some fresh air. Logan saw her slip out the French doors and knew he needed to talk to her. Ducking out to chat with Rory would be no easy task. Katie had been stuck to his side the entire day and was making it very clear that she was staking her claim to him for all to see.

"I need to go make a call. We are closing a deal on a paper in Houston and I need to make sure things are on track. I'll be right back," Logan said to Katie.

"You can never take a day off can you?" Katie responded, "hurry back baby, I will miss you if you're gone too long."

Logan nodded and quickly left the room, cell phone in hand. He made his way over to the kitchen and through the French doors, startling Rory with his formable presence.

"Hey you"

"Hey Rory. I'm really sorry about what Katie said in there. Knowing everything that she knows now, I think she is just feeling a little insecure."

"It's fine Logan. Really, you can't think I can be rattled that easily, can you?"

"No. I know you can't. She's just been going a little overboard today."

"Just marking her territory, I don't blame her."

Logan crossed the length of the deck, standing side by side with Rory. She looked over to him and smiled before looking back at the garden, a sigh escaping her mouth.

"Where's your boyfriend?"

"Umm, not here."

"Yeah, I can see that Ace. Only a fool would leave you alone at a couple's brunch."

"He's certainly not a fool. I'm just not his to worry about anymore."

"What? You two are done?"

"Yes, we broke up a few days ago."

"Why?"

"That's really not your business Logan."

"I guess that's fair. It really isn't my place to know the details but if you need to talk, I'm here for you."

"I know you are."

They stood in silence, staring out at the garden for a few moments.

"Ready to go back inside? It's almost time for dessert."

"You know I never turn down dessert."

"Or tacos. I know, Ace. I know."

As they turned to head back inside, Logan's hand found it's way to Rory's lower back, guiding her towards the French doors. His touch was electric and she walked slowly to savior the contact. When they arrived at the library, Logan and Rory separated but not before Katie noticed the smile that crossed Logan's face. She decided right then and there, she would do whatever it would take to make sure that Rory Gilmore was out of her fiance's life for good.