‘I love you both. Very much,’ Sylvia said and, after promising to call when she got home, she was gone.
Four
‘I trust you two are feeling better?’ Wesley asked, arms folded, as they shuffled through the doors the next morning. The place was still standing but Riggs was nowhere to be seen. They nodded sheepishly, eyes averted, but Wesley’s accusatory gaze couldn’t be avoided for too long. ‘Yes, well, let’s make today a good day to make up for it, shall we?’
‘In other words, fix all of Riggs’ mistakes from yesterday?’ Joanie asked, rolling her eyes behind her giant sunglasses.
‘As much as it pains me to say it, yes. He hasn’t even shown up this morning. Probably because I kept snapping at him yesterday. He really should know where everything goes and how everything works by now.’ Wesley threw up his hands and stalked off, muttering to himself.
‘When’s your next club, Lorelai?’ Joanie asked, hanging up her coat and scarf in the tiny mop closet behind the main counter.
‘Last Saturday of every month so we’ve got ages yet, why? You gonna come?’
‘Looks like lover boy has turned up early.’ Joanie gestured towards the door where Grayson was stood outside, browsing the cinema times for that month. His scarf was pulled up high overhis chin and under his ears but there was no mistaking that it was him. As he looked up from the schedule, Lorelai ducked down behind the counter, almost hitting her chin on the way down.
‘I knew showing you his Instagram was a mistake,’ Lorelai hissed.
‘I don’t think crawling around on the floor will make a better impression than your first one.’
‘I’m just… counting the cups for today.’ Lorelai’s voice jumped a couple of octaves and Joanie snorted with laughter.
‘Come on in! We’re open!’ she called, waving through the door.
Whether Grayson had seen Lorelai duck for cover or not, remerging from her hiding place was bound to be an awkward moment. She dropped onto her hands and knees and began to crawl towards the door that led off the main foyer. Underestimating the amount of space she had, her hips knocked over the precariously balanced box of paper cups. Riggs hadn’t stored them properly and had left them in the perfect place to foil Lorelai’s getaway.
‘Everything alright down there?’ His voice was smoother than Lorelai remembered. Suddenly, very aware that she had her arse in the air and both Grayson and Joanie were getting the full view of it, she hopped up and quickly brushed herself down.
‘Yes! Yes. Just, um…’
‘Counting cups?’ Joanie bit her lip, ready to burst with laughter.
‘Yes, actually. I’ll erm… pick those up later.’ Lorelai shuffled through the cup confetti on the floor. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘I’ve just come to pick up my tickets for this weekend. TheLord of the Ringsmarathon.’
‘Said without an ounce of embarrassment,’ Joanie teased.
‘Absolutely not! I’m a man who knows what he likes.’
Lorelai could feel his pointed gaze in her direction, and she busied herself tapping his name into the computer system to find his tickets.
‘You’re a member here?’ Lorelai asked, looking at his file.
‘Yes. When I started coming every Saturday it just made sense.’
‘Can I see your card?’
‘Oh, Lorelai.’ Joanie gently pushed her aside. ‘She doesn’t need to see your card. We’re going to take your word for it. Lorelai is also going to let you use her discount on top of the membership discount because she’s very much looking forward to seeing you again and wants you to keep coming back.’
Lorelai gaped at her friend. What was shedoing?
‘Is this ventriloquy at its finest or are you just bailing out your actually quite disinterested friend?’ Grayson asked, smiling and yet there was a nervous tremor in his voice, insecurity bubbling to the surface. Lorelai felt a pull in her chest. Did he have to be cute, smartandsweet? She needed to put a stop to this.
‘I’ve been Lorelai’s ventriloquist for years. She never answers the phone if it’s a number she doesn’t know, will only order the same food I order in a restaurant so she doesn’t have to speak to the waiter and clearly I’m now the intermediary between her and her romantic prospects.’
‘Joanie…’ Lorelai warned, elbowing her sharply in the ribs.
Joanie ignored her, and handed Grayson’s tickets over with a flourish.
