If you’re drunk enough, there are certain people out there who won’t question the fact you turn your face away each time they lean in for the kiss. They would, though, find her behaviour strange so Lorelai never repeated the situation twice with the same person, but she did what she had to do in order to have the experiences she wanted to have, while also following the rules she had set for herself.It just meant she gained the reputation of being the girl who never kissed the people she slept with. When asked why, she would simply say, ‘It’s too personal,’ like Vivian inPretty Woman.
She thought it was a good line that might make her a little mysterious. She had hoped it would surround her with intrigue, drawing people closer to her to find out more. Instead, her peers gave her a wider berth than they had before. She realised now that her grandmother had been her only hope of sharing her burden. The one person she was sure would understand and accept her regardless and yet the one person she could no longer tell.
Seven
Lorelai needed to say sorry. She had a perfectly worded speech prepared that she’d practised under her breath on the way to work. However, when she arrived at The Duchess, Riggs was nowhere to be seen. It was Saturday andThe Lord of the Ringsmarathon was taking place that evening, which meant there was a long night of work ahead of them all, but Lorelai would make sure she found time to talk with Riggs at some point.
‘Are you looking forward to seeinglover boy?’ Joanie asked, startling Lorelai.
Lorelai had been so focused on her apology to Riggs that for a while, Grayson hadn’t been the only thing on her mind. Now, all thoughts of him thundered forward and her stomach was in knots. Was she looking forward to seeing him? She felt like a ticking time bomb of emotion, ready to explode at any moment. But what else? Her face grew warm when she thought about seeing him again. Yes, she was looking forward to him, and the thought terrified her.
‘It’s OK,’ Joanie said, dropping her teasing tone. ‘It’s OK to want to see him again.’
Before Lorelai could respond, Wesley strode past, towardsthe doors, where a queue ofLord of the Ringsfans were patiently waiting. Lorelai looked around. Still no Riggs. Where was he?
‘OK, Duchess team. Are we ready?’ Wesley asked, his hands gripping each door handle, ready to swing them open. Joanie waved her popcorn scoop and Lorelai straightened up the countertop. ‘Where the bloody hell is that boy?’ he grumbled.
‘I’m here.’ Riggs emerged from the door behind the counter and tried to slip past quickly. Lorelai reached out and gently touched his arm.
‘Hey, before the craziness begins I just wanted to say—’
‘Lorelai, you really don’t have to do this. It’s fine.’ Riggs didn’t look at her.
‘No, it’s not fine. I’m sorry I said what I said. You’re right, I am being a coward when it comes to my future but it wasn’t fair to take it out on you. We all move through life at different speeds and you trusted me with some’ – Lorelai dropped her voice further – ‘personal things and it was unfair of me to throw it back in your face. I was a dick. And I’m sorry.’
‘It’s fine,’ Riggs repeated, still not looking at her.
Lorelai ground her teeth, frustrated with herself for not getting this right. ‘Let’s find some time later to talk,’ she said. ‘Please?’
‘Riggs!’ Wesley clicked his fingers, summoning him. He jogged over to his father, and stood next to him. Riggs was on the door all night, checking tickets and collecting the stubs. It was going to be impossible for Lorelai to speak to him until everyone was seated.
‘I officially declare that the marathon has… BEGUN!’ Wesley swung the doors open and almost knocked out Riggs in one fell swoop. A cheer erupted from the crowd and creatures from Middle Earth quickly filled the foyer.
About half an hour later, as Lorelai was ringing up what felt like her hundredth drinks and snacks order, Joanie nudged her in the ribs.
‘Joanie! That hurt!’
‘Would you look over there!’ Joanie hissed.
Lorelai looked towards the door, where Joanie was pointing, and saw two figures approaching, dressed in full hobbit costume. Their capes were held together with matching leaf-shaped brooches and their hairy feet looked alarmingly real.
Lorelai felt her whole face lift into a smile.I’m excited to see him, she thought. And then the memories crashed into her.
Cries of pain.
Dripping blood.
Crunching metal.
Bones breaking.
With considerable effort, Lorelai pushed the nightmares away and forced herself to smile. ‘Merry and Pippin, I’m pleased you could make it.’
‘I thought you said you weren’t a fan of the movies.’ Grayson leaned against the counter, ducking his head so they were almost at eye level.
‘I can still know who all the characters are! So who’s who?’
‘I’m Pippin,’ said the hobbit who must’ve been Grayson’s younger brother, adjusting his strawberry-blond wig.
