Chapter One.

Luke opened the book and tried to follow the words on the page, but he was too tired to concentrate. When he closed his eyes, he pictured Lorelai as she'd been that afternoon, leaning across the counter towards him, smiling and joking as always. He'd had to resist the urge to reach out and touch her face, as she'd laughed at him.

"Luke, you just don't get it do you? Coffee is like a drug to me."

"Yeah, I know that, I'm just suggesting you could try drinking something else once in a while."

"Like what?"

"Water?"

"Urgh! Horrid stuff, no way!"

He turned away in exasperation. When he turned back she was sitting at her usual table with Rory. He waved over at her and she waved back.

"Hi Luke," Rory called, her usual pile of books in front of her on the table.

He knew it was useless to suggest to Lorelai that Rory worked too hard. He was afraid to butt in. After all who was he but just the guy at the diner? He had no rights over either of them.

Luke slumped back in his armchair. He kept reading the same passage over and over again, but it still didn't make sense. It was all very well when it was written in a book, but how was he going to put it into practise? It was difficult concept for him: love. He'd always secretly admired Lorelai, but lately the emotion was getting stronger and more troublesome. He was pretty sure that he was in love with her, maybe had been for years. That's was what Rachel had accused him of anyway. She was probably right, god damn it.

Luke snapped the book shut and threw it on the floor. He was sick of feeling like this, it was starting to get in the way of his work, his life. The self-help book suggested that he make his feeling known, maybe ask Lorelai out on a date. But what if she refused? He didn't think he could bear the rejection. Not after all this time.

He told himself to be brave. Next time he saw her, he'd ask her to step outside and then he'd ask her. He'd really do it this time. What did he have to lose, but everything? She might be too embarrassed to come into the diner and then he wouldn't even see her any more. That would be too much to bear.

He got into bed, feeling defeated. As soon as he turned off the light, the thoughts and dreams about Lorelai returned. He tossed and turned, thumping the pillow in frustration.

He couldn't deny it any longer. He wanted her, not just in his life, but in his bed.