Page 90 of Pity Play

“You what? Why did you buy Pop’s?”

“My dad was selling it.”

“Yes, but you don’t want to live in Elk Lake.”

“Who told you that?” I ask. I know I’m yanking her chain a little, but this really is a delicious moment.

“Youtold me that,” she practically yells. “In no uncertain terms. Repeatedly. You told me that you wanted to stay in Chicago.”

“You told me that you never wanted to come to Chicago, but here you are,” I retaliate.

She opens her mouth like she’s going to reply, then she closes it, before opening it once again. “Yes, but …”

I shrug. “I guess we both changed our minds.”

“Yes, but …”

“Unless of course you aren’t going to be here for long.”

Lorelai’s head looks like it’s going to explode. “I don’t know how long I’m going to be here.”

“You came to help Chip.” I can’t help but wonder if there’s another reason she’s here. A reason that might be me.

Her head bobs up and down. “I did.”

“Is he the only reason?” I can see Chip out of my peripheral vision and his focus keeps moving back and forth between us like he’s watching a ping pong match.

“I … no … I mean …” She is so adorably flustered that all I want to do is pull her into my arms and kiss her.

With the worst timing ever, Eve walks over and announces, “Luke, table forty would like a word.”

Annoyed by the interruption, I tell her, “I’m kind of busy.”

“It’s Jerry Reinsdorf,” she says.

I turn to Lorelai and tell her, “He owns the Chicago Bulls. I’m doing a special event for them next week.”

“You’d better go, then.” She makes a shooing movement with her hands.

Once I’m standing, I address both her and Chip. “I would like to send you food of my choice, if you’re okay with that.”

“That sounds wonderful!” Chip exudes.

Lorelai merely says, “Fine by me.”

I know she’s mad at me. But now that I’ve bought Pop’s and plan on spending half my days in Elk Lake, this is my chance to woo her. Even if she decides to stay in Chicago, I’ll be here, too.

I make a quick stop at Jerry’s table before going back into the kitchen. I’m going to make Lorelai the best meal she has ever had in her life. I start out with a candied beet and feta salad. On the side of her plate, I use a balsamic reduction and write the words, “Will you …” Then I send the first course out.

The second course is my famous chicken pot pie with truffles and water chestnuts. On that plate, I write the words, “Go out …”

The third course is a chocolate mousse dome featuring a trio of mousses with a mirror glaze. I finish my request in fudge sauce. “With me, please?”

My plan is to give her a few minutes to cobble the message together into one cohesive request before going out to see what her answer is. I watch the clock for five minutes, before charging through the kitchen doors in a near military march as I head to Lorelai’s table. When I get there, I look down and discover that the waiter put the dessert with the message in front of Chip.

He looks up expectantly, so I tell him, “I think you got the wrong plate.”

“Really?” It’s clear he’s faking shock as he asks, “You weren’t asking me out on a date?”

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