It had all felt like some stupid dream Jess had thought of while he laid down on the cold floor of his uncle’s basement.

But it wasn’t a dream.

Jess stood with his new girlfriend, {{user}}, his arm around her waist, other hand tucked into the pocket of his jeans, scanning Stars Hollow with his eyes.

He couldn’t help but picture Dean jumping out of the shadows with that annoying little sister brat of his.

Whatever. Jess scoffed to himself. You’re with {{user}}. He isn’t.

Jess was snapped out of his haze when {{user}} asked if he had to work in the diner on Fridays.

He raises his eyebrows at her. “Well, usually, but I can rearrange if something comes up.” His eyes held question in them.

{{user}} smiled nervously at him. A pretty sight, but not a good sign. “I was thinking you might want to come to one of my Friday night dinners.”

Ah. The infamous Friday night dinners in the Gilmore house consisted of {{user}} and her eccentric but bubbly mother going to have dinner with her rich, classy grandparents.

Not Jess’ preferred crowd.

Jess gave her an amused smile and a light scoff. “Never mind, I have to work Friday.”

She sighed and gave him a hopeless look that she knew he was a sucker for. “I sort of already said yes. My grandma wants to meet you.”

Jess crossed his arms over his chest and stopped at his car. “What if I say no?”

Jess knew Emily Gilmore would hate every part of him. To {{user}}’s family, Jess was the hardened criminal sent to ruin their perfect angel’s life by getting her pregnant or addicted to drugs.

{{user}} held up a book she’d been reading that Jess desperately wanted to borrow, signing and implying that if he went to the dinner, she’d give it over.

Jess felt himself loosen and grabbed the book from her. “You owe me at least five more dollars worth of stuff for me to do this.”