Finding Home

Chapter 5

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Rory's head was in the clouds as she returned to her hotel room after breakfast with Laura and Kate.  She kicked off her shoes and sat in the chair next to the window, picking up her Kindle to read a bit during her downtime.  She still vastly preferred reading paper copies of books, but she was limited on space with her constant traveling and living out of a suitcase so her mom had given her a Kindle for her birthday last year. 

Thinking about her mom, Rory sighed and picked up the phone, dialing the familiar number.

"Hey, kiddo!" her mom greeted enthusiastically.

"Morning, Mom!  How's life there?"

"No different than it was last night, missy, so stop stalling!  How was dinner with the hot Aussie?"

"Mom, his name is Finn!" Rory replied with an exasperated sigh.

"I know his name, child of mine, but I prefer calling him hot Aussie.  Now, spill!"

"It was really nice, Mom.  I think he does like me.  Actually, I'm almost positive that he does.  And there is definite chemistry," Rory sighed dreamily.

"Dirty!  What did you guys do?" Lorelai asked with a laugh.

"Nothing like that, Mom!  It was just small touches.  His hand on my back, offering his hand to help me out of the car, holding my hand on the way back to the car, a kiss on the cheek.  And then this morning Laura and Kate and I ran into him on the way to breakfast at the hotel and he definitely seemed to want to keep me close to him.  Oh God, I sound like a junior high girl, don't I?"

"Yeah, you really kind of do," Lorelai said with a laugh.  "But you know what?  I'm not sure I've ever heard you this bubbly about something so small with a guy.  It's refreshing.  You deserve to find someone who makes you feel excited and happy, Ror.  Maybe Finn will be that guy.  I'm used to hearing you tell me all of the reasons why a date isn't right for you; hearing you talk about the reasons why he might be right for you if a good thing."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Mom!  We'll see how tonight goes."

"Oh?  Are you seeing lover boy again tonight?"

"Mom!  Again, his name is Finn.  And yes, apparently we're going to have a movie night," Rory replied with the smile evident in her voice.

"No?"

"Yes!"

"No?"

"Yes, Mom!  Movie night tonight.  I don't know any details, but I know that's the plan," Rory replied.

"He's gorgeous, rich, charming, and he obviously shares the Gilmore love for movie nights.  He might just be perfect, kiddo."

"Again, let's not get ahead of ourselves, Mom."

"I'll do my best, kiddo.  I want to hear everything tomorrow, understand?  Now, Mommy has to go boss people around and make sure Michel doesn't hurt anyone.  Love you, Ror!"

"I love you too, Mom!" Rory said as she hung up the phone and picked her Kindle up again to read before the event this afternoon.

Rory had only been reading for about twenty minutes when her phone dinged to notify her of an incoming text message.

Movie night at 7:00 in my room, kitten?  I have a couch and DVD player.  -Finn

Sounds perfect, Finn!  Just tell me where to go.

I'll come to your room and meet you.  Dress comfy.  I assume Gilmore girl movie nights haven't changed much since college?

Only in frequency.  We still do the same thing, just not nearly as often.  I haven't had one in months.

Well, I shall see to it that your dry spell is broken tonight, love. 

You're the best!  Have a great day, Finn.  See you soon!

Until tonight, kitten.

Rory took a moment to save Finn's phone number to her cell phone before picking her Kindle up again and losing herself in Pride and Prejudice until time for the afternoon campaign event.

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Rory let out a sigh of relief as she saved and submitted her article at 6:30, grateful to be finished for the night.  Her thoughts kept drifting to a certain Aussie the entire time she was writing and proofing her article, and consequently it took her twice as long as usual to finish the piece on today's rally. 

Closing her laptop, she crossed the room to her suitcase and began discarding articles of clothing on the bed as she tried to decide what to wear.  After five minutes of growling in frustration, she finally decided on a pair of nice jeans that hugged her curves, a deep maroon peasant style shirt, and brown sandals.  She looked in the mirror, giving herself a critical once-over, and decided that she looked casual enough while still looking nice.  She had just swiped on some lip gloss when she heard a knock on the door.

She reached over and answered the door quickly, and there stood Finn wearing a pair of dark wash jeans that were worn perfectly and a soft grey pullover.  She was momentarily stunned as she took in the man in front of her.  She had never seen him so casual, and the look definitely suited him.  Finn looked good in anything, but something about seeing him so casual made her heartbeat speed up.  She was still staring when his amused voice broke her out of her thoughts.

"You know, kitten, if I didn't know better I would swear you were checking me out," he said with a chuckle.

"What?  No!  I mean, I've never seen you look so casual, Finn" Rory replied with a blush.

"Expecting a suit for a movie night, Miss Gilmore?  I could go change..." he trailed off with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Rory slowly shook herself back to the moment.  How in the world was it that just seeing him in jeans and a t-shirt left her speechless?

"No, I like it!  You look nice, Finn," she said with a shy smile.  "I was just surprised.  Like I said, I've never seen you in jeans."

"Times change, kitten.  New and improved Finn and all, right?  Now, shall we?" Finn asked, holding his hand out to beckon her toward the elevator.

"Yeah, just one second," Rory replied.  She quickly walked over to the nightstand and grabbed her phone from the charger and put her key card in her back pocket, taking a few deep breaths and trying to relax before returning to the door.  Feeling more calm, she turned and walked back to the door with a smile, taking Finn's outstretched hand and closing her door behind her.