"So when is this big Gronk date?" Mel looked at me over her plate of food, as she picked at the leafy greens with her fork.
"Wednesday night because he has an away game on Sunday and will be leaving for that on Friday." I was still in disbelief that I actually agreed to a date with Rob after I met him at the harbour last week but he was right, there was no denying that the kiss made me feel something.
I just wasn't sure what. I was still undecided if it was just the fact that it felt good to have that intimate contact with a man after my brief relationship hiatus or if it was the fact we had a real connection. It was hard to say right now, which is why I agreed to this date. I'm still not convinced that Rob could possibly be the guy for me, that he could actually ditch his party boy ways long enough to maintain a real relationship.
"A Wednesday date night is interesting." Mel took a bite of her salad and pointed her fork at me, "I still cannot believe that you agreed to a date with Rob Gronkowski. Should I be worried about your mental state?"
"Possibly... because I'm wondering if I should be worried about my mental state." I reached for a french fry from my plate and poked around in my ketchup, "Weeknights are basically one of the only times he's able to have a clear or I should say clearer schedule. Which in a way stinks because weeknights can be my most hectic."
"What are you guys gonna do? Has he told you anything?" Mel pushed her plate to the side and reached for her glass of soda, "Or is it top secret?"
I looked at her and shrugged my shoulders to avoid talking with a mouth full of food. I really wasn't sure what Rob was planning to do and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't the least bit curious.
"I wonder what a Gronk date is like..." I could tell by the tone of her voice that Mel's mind was wandering off into deep thought as she tried to imagine what he could possibly have in store for me.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it contained a party bus and plenty of alcohol." I wiped my face on my napkin before pushing the remainder of my food away in defeat; I was full.
"Stop it." Mel shook her head and laughed at my snarky remark, but honestly it was hard to envision Rob as a romantic, "You are being too hard on him Ava. Give him a chance... if he's as immature as he comes across after this, then I wouldn't blame you for not wanting to deal with a man child. But until then... give him a break girl."
"I know I know." I nodded in agreeance with what she was saying, "I guess in a way I'm just trying not to set myself up for total disappointment. That's all. You know what I went through with Chance."
"I get it. Trust me." She had always been there for me through tough times with my last mess of a failed relationship, "Just don't let what happened with him determine what happens with you and Rob."
"I won't, but that doesn't mean that I haven't earned the right to be guarded. Especially going into this knowing that Rob does posess some characteristics I'm not overly fond of. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, if I weren't I never would've agreed to this date." I explained my concerns and my reasons for proceeding with caution, "I have seen a side of Rob I never would've seen if I hadn't met him and that's one of the biggest reasons I'm even trying this."
"And I'm proud of you for that." Mel shared as I stopped rummaging through my wallet long enough to admire those words from my best friend, "Now most importantly, what do you plan to wear?"
I laughed at the ease in which she changed the topic and how suddenly my outfit choice had become more important than my choice in men.
"I have no idea." I sighed, "I have absolutely no idea where he's even taking me so I have no clue how to dress."
"Well, ask him. We have some shopping to do." She insisted, "He doesn't have to tell you where he's taking you but ask him what you should wear."
"I can try. I'm sure he's at practice." I grabbed my phone off the table and proceeded to text him. I'd be lying if I said the curiosity wasn't killing me because it is. Very much so.
Tomorrow will be one week since we talked that day at the harbour. One week since I agreed to a date. We tried to plan something for this past week but between my schedule and his, it was just a little too hectic. He has been texting and sometimes even calling me every day in between wanting to know about my day. It was actually a really sweet gesture on his part and I should probably give him more credit for it.
"Oh he's calling now." It felt as if it was a matter of seconds and my phone started ringing, Rob's number lighting up my screen, "Hey, aren't you at practice?" I excused myself from the table as I walked to a quieter area to talk to him.
I returned moments later, Mel still waiting in the booth for me, her face buried in her phone. I noticed the waitress had cleared the table leaving only our check behind as I slid back into the booth.
"Well? Any word?" Mel looked up at me as she stuck her phone in her purse providing me her full attention.
"How would you like to go to a game tomorrow?" I asked, a smirk on my face.
"Seriously?" Her eyes widened in disbelief as she leaned forward eagerly awaiting a response.
"Yes." I had to laugh at her excitement, "Date night is now tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow?" She questioned sitting back in her seat.
"He said he didn't think he could wait any longer." I could feel my cheeks become flush as Mel cooed at Rob's pleasantly surprising sweetness, "I'll ride with you to the game then leave with him... if you don't mind."
"That's fine." She nodded as we gathered our things both throwing down our halves of the bill, "I can't believe you agreed to go to a Patriots game. I'm really beginning to worry. Who are you and what have you done with Ava?"
We both broke out into some laughter and I quickly found myself wondering the same things. What had come over me? How did I of all people, get wrapped up with Rob Gronkowski? If my family ever found out I was at a Patriots game, I'm quite sure they would disown me.
"So I'm assuming this date is going to be more of a casual setting?" Mel spoke up interrupting me from my brief moment of thought.
"That's what he said." We both slid out of our seats and headed for the door, "Still doesn't make deciding what to wear any easier."
"Of course it does!" She looked at me dumbfounded that I was still finding my clothing options to be a challenge, "I know exactly what you're going to wear."
"Oh my God." I laughed at the grin on her face, I wasn't sure what she was getting me into at this point.
"Come on." She hooked her arm through mine as we walked down the busy Boston street, "Let's go shopping."
