It's Not How You Start, It's How You Finish

Chapter 4

The girls on the PICU floor were squealing like little girls when I told them about Rob stalking me down in the cafeteria. They couldn't believe that I know Rob " Gronk" Gronkowski. I didn't see what the big deal was and maybe that's because I grew up with him and know all sorts of dirt on him. After my shift I went to my apartment which wasn't very far away from the hospital so that I could change into something other than scrubs. I left my hair in the messy side braid but decided on blue short sleeves dress that came to my knee. It had a leather braided belt across the middle and the neckline was scooped but not showing anything. As a nurse, you kind of forget what wearing heels is like and after a 12 hour shift, there was no way I was putting my feet in anything other than flip flops. I looked at myself in the mirror for a once over before I left. I shrugged thinking to myself eh, this will do and headed to the restaurant.

I arrived in a timely fashion and as I got out of the car I checked my phone 7:28 perfect I thought. I waltzed into the restaurant, never had been here before but I recognized Rob right away sitting near the host podium. he had already checked in and was waiting for his reservation. He stood up and walked over to me.

" hey Sammy" he said, bringing me in for a hug and kissing my cheek.

" hi Rob. You clean up nice" I mentioned taking in his appearance. He was wearing a light blue plaid button down and black slacks.

" thanks. Glad you came" he smiled. Then the hostess called out " reservation for Pat!"

" that's us" Rob said as he motioned for me to follow the hostess. I looked at him a little confused.

" why was your reservation under Pat?" I asked curiously.

" Well you'd be surprised what it is like to either have reservations under Rob when people recognize you. I figured they can speculate all they want. I don't want the attention tonight." He smiled as I nodded in understanding. I continued following the hostess to a secluded back corner table for two.

" Hi I'm Justine and I will be your server tonight. Can I start you off with something to drink?" Our waitress asked. You could tell she was trying her hardest to be professional without giving up Rob in front of the whole restaurant.

" I will have the sangria please." I said. I had the day off tomorrow so I wanted to wind down with some alcohol.

" I will just have a vodka water with a splash of cranberry" he said smirking at me as the waitress walked away.

" really? I pictured you as a beer kinda guy"

" Nah, beer tastes weird. Gotta stay hydrated season starts next week." He informed me.

" I can't believe summer is already over. I've been so busy with work at children's that I never got to take any time off that wasn't part of my regular schedule" I shrugged. Sometimes things just get away from me.

" I bet. If it makes you feel better I've been busy with training camp and then preseason. I usually try to take my vacations in early spring before the craziness starts with football. But I never got one in this year." Rob said.

We continued light conversation over dinner and drinks. Rob was good and only had his one vodka water thing and drank regular water the rest of the time, while I on the other hand was getting a little too tipsy. I was on my third glass of sangria. We did however get to know each other a little better tonight. Rob did inform me that my perspective of him is based on what the media reports and that he's not as much of a party boy that they make him out to be. He's just a fun loving guy. He had me laughing quite a bit during dinner as well.