Alex and Joel decided to drop the subject, and Alex extended an invitation for dinner to her.
She accepted, and they all moved into the kitchen to prepare a salad and garlic bread to accompany the spaghetti and meatballs Alex had cooked earlier. She began to talk about the police officer who had asked her out, and how attractive he was.
“His eyes are the bluest I’ve ever seen. So blue, they almost seem fake. His hair is short and jet black, and he has a smile that could make any girl weak in the knees. I mean, wow.
“Despite being a cop, he has this bad boy vibe,” Lorelai gushed.
“So, he’s just like the guys you used to date in high school and early college? Like Travis Malone?” Joel teased.
She thought about her past relationships, grinned, and shrugged.
They all enjoyed a pleasant evening together, and after helping with the dishes, she left to pick up some groceries for the week.
Alex and Joel watched as she backed out of the driveway and disappeared down the road.
“Do you think she’s finally ready to move on? To leave behind what that monster did to her?” Alex asked his husband.
“I haven’t seen her this happy since him. I don’t want to get my hopes up, Alex, but maybe…” Joel’s voice wavered.
“I hope this is a new beginning. You’d adore her if the old Lorelai came back.”
Alex pulled his husband into a comforting embrace, praying that he was right. He loved Lorelai, the woman he had met four years ago and had mentored and worked with every day since.
He could imagine the person she used to be, and the fun she and Joel had growing up, based on the stories they told.
The Lorelai he knew now was so different from the one he had heard about from JJ, his family, and hers.
He would never forget the sight of her in the ambulance when he found her at her apartment: beaten, shattered, and bloody.
He pushed that image out of his mind, closed the front door of their home, and locked it. He followed his husband into the kitchen to prepare lunches and coffee for the next day.
Lorelai sang along to the radio as she drove to the grocery store.
She parked and hopped out, grabbed a small basket, and began to walk up and down the aisles, looking for the items she needed for lunch.
She had picked out her favorite roast beef and was trying to decide on a flavored tortilla for her wraps when someone bumped into her, causing her to drop her basket.
“Shit!” she muttered, bending down to pick up her groceries.
“I’m so sorry! I wasn’t paying attention! Are you okay?” a deep voice apologized.
Lorelai looked up and was surprised to see the attractive cop standing in front of her.
He recognized her immediately and flashed her a grin, causing her heart to race.
“Well, well, well! Lorelai, this is the best grocery run I’ve had in a long time!”
She swallowed and looked at him. “Officer, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you. I’m sorry!”
“Don’t apologize! I’m more to blame than you. I was just picking up some things for dinner this week. What about you?”
“Umm, just getting some things for lunch. I have some SAT prep sessions for my juniors during my lunch hour, so I need to bring my own lunch this week…”
“I hated the SAT, so good luck to you! Have many students signed up?”
“Um, both of my prep classes are full, so hopefully I can help them.”
“I have no doubt you will. But you know what this means, right?”
She swallowed again and shook her head, confused. “No, I’m not sure what you mean…”
“The deal you made with me earlier today, about our date. You said that when we met again, you would say yes when I asked you out. So, Lorelai, will you go out with me?”
She was taken aback and thought she might have a panic attack at his words, but her heart and breathing remained steady. “I did say that, didn’t I? Well, okay…I guess yes…”
Aaron’s grin widened. “Great! Now, how about you give me your number and I’ll call you tomorrow with some details.”
Lorelai could only nod. She pulled out a piece of paper, wrote her number on it, and handed it to him. He gave her his card, taking the pen from her hand to write his cell number on the back.
It read: Aaron O’Shay, Sergeant K9 South Division.
She looked back at him and gave a weak smile. “Umm, so…”
“I’ll call you tomorrow, Lorelai. I better go; Thor is waiting in my truck. Sleep well!”
She nodded, feeling foolish for her awkwardness. He flashed her the grin that made her weak in the knees and walked to the front of the store to pay for his groceries.
She watched him walk away in black joggers and a tight long-sleeved t-shirt. His muscular build was evident. She enjoyed watching his ass as he moved.
She felt a stirring in her gut that she hadn’t felt in years, and it frightened her. He was pure sex appeal and he was way out of her league.
He would realize that soon enough, so she decided to memorize this moment and cherish it for as long as she could.
She picked up the tortillas and went to the front to check out. Then she headed to her small SUV.
She sat for a moment, letting the car warm up, and sent a group text.
Alex was reading in bed and Joel was doing some sit-ups when the text came through. They read it, looked at each other, and grinned.
“Miracles really do happen,” Alex said.
Joel just grinned and wiped away a tear that had rolled down his face.
