~~~Chapter 7~~~
When Hanna had called Mona about Ella having the baby and asked her if she would go to the hospital to check on everyone she hadn't even paused to think before saying she would go. She had wanted to see Mile again even though she knew it would gut her to see him with Alicia. She had been surprised that his girlfriend wasn't there when she first arrived, but by the time she and Aria had gone to see Ella and baby Julia and then came back from catching up over a coffee she was there. One thing about Mona is that she noticed details that others missed and something was definitely off about the blonde. she had a nervousness about her that Mona was surprised that Mike did not notice, but then he seemed a little off as well and Mona wondered if they were having problems. She wondered if it was wrong that she was hoping there was trouble brewing?
Mike had introduced Aria to Alicia who for some odd reason was giving his sister she never met a resentful look and then he reintroduced Mona to Alicia as one of Aria's friends, Mona also received a dirty look from the pretty blonde girl. Mona thought hers was probably a bit deserved since she was rooting for Mike and Alicia to be in a fight. Mona didn't stay long after than not wanting to have to see Mike and Alicia together, but she and Aria exchanged numbers so they could make plans to get together while Aria was still in Rosewood.
When Mona got home, Rocco was ready for his evening walk when they walked down the steps to the sidewalk Mona seen Devon who, was just getting home from school if the book bag stopped across him back was any indicator as he brought his bicycle to a stop.
"Hey there." He greeted and Mona couldn't help but to smile at him his curly blonde even more, disheveled than it was the night before.
"Hey yourself." He bent down to pet Rocco, in turned wagged his tail happily, big brown eyes looking up expectantly at the man who was talking to his new best friend. "I think he likes you." she smiled.
"But the important question is, does his owner like me?" He said with a charming grin.
" Hmm I think she just may." She said giving a teasing grin.
"Hmm in that case," he began, petting Rocco again, "I wonder if you would like to go grab dinner with me tonight."
" I'd love to, but I need to walk Rocco and feed him and change into something presentable."
"Rocco can get his walk on the way to dinner, he can come with us. The place I have in mind has outdoor tables, it's a beautiful evening and dogs are welcome." Devon ran a exaggerated critical eye over Mona, " and you are presentable, barely." He added teasingly. Mona, as always looked put together even in a pair of black skinny jeans. With them she paired a with a V-necked boyfriend sweater in hot pink and a wearing a pair of black Dolce Vita ankle boots and tied together with a hot pink, black, white, and pale pink patterned infinity scarf and silver hoop earrings silver hoop earrings and a black leather tote bag with a tassel embellishment. Devon thought she looked cute, casual and stylish.
Mona looked down at herself with a critical to make sure she didn't spill any coffee or pastry filling on herself and then she agreed. Devon gestured to the book bag and bicycle and told her he'd be right back in a few minutes and true to his word he was back in no time and they were heading in the direction Devon pointed her in; Rocco trotting happily between them. The restaurant was a small casual dining Italian restaurant, and the patio was tight off the street where they could see passerby's if they chose. Mona had passed this place a dozen times and had never paid attention. She perused the menu before deciding on cannelloni, a side salad and an iced tea for herself and an order of chicken tenders for Rocco, since he hadn't eaten dinner yet and she didn't want him to have to watch them eat while he had nothing, Devon ordered Spaghetti and meatballs with a salad and a beer. Throughout the meal their waitress brought out fresh baked mini loaves of bread as the needed it. As they ate their delicious food Mona and Devon got to know each other better, he was from Herculaneum, small Midwestern town in Missouri and was studying internal medicine at U Penn
He kept Mona entertained as he told her stories about his hometown and his somewhat off the wall family who he admitted were rednecks. she thought she was going to die when he told her a story about his dad who would over-indulge on occasion stepping off the side of the steps leasing into the family's home. "We were sitting in the living room, mom was in the kitchen cooking dinner. We heard the door open and dad took a great big step, off the side of the porch. We heard a yelp as dad disappeared out of sight and we all went running. He told mom that there were three doors and he chose the one closest to him. Mom was annoyed because he scared her, I'll never forget the disgusted face she made when she told him that he chose the wrong one, she just left him there once she realized he wasn't hurt and finished making dinner like nothing happened. For the next couple days Dad tiptoes around Mom with sad eyes, I think she would bring out the ruler if he said the wrong thing.
"The ruler?" Mona asked.
"Uh huh. Mom had a wooden ruler she used on our seats if we stepped out of line. We were more afraid of Mom four foot eleven inch, ninety-pound mom and her ruler than we were of our six foot, two-hundred-pound dad."
Mona told him about her mother Leona and about catching her mom making out with Pastor Ted. I don't know who was more surprised Mom or me."
Devon empathized, but the laughter as he pictured the scene ruined the effect. It had been a long time since Mona had enjoyed herself so much with a member of the opposite sex and she found she was looking forward even more to their date on Friday and without even thinking about it she told him so. Devon grinned at her happy by her confession, Mona didn't realize it but she had mentioned Mike more than a few times over the course of dinner which had made Devon a little insecure.
When the waitress came with the check Mona reached to pay for it, but Devon insisted saying he had asked her out to dinner. Eventually Mona gave in and then the three of them made their way back to the apartment building. On the way home, they passed an ice cream parlor and Mona asked if he would like desert, "Ice cream sounds good. he said" they walked in
Mona ordered a hot fudge Sunday with whipped cream, cherries and chopped pecans, a peanut butter doggie ice cream for Rocco and Devon ordered a banana split. Devon reached for his wallet, but this time Mona insisted, "I asked you out if you wanted desert." Devon smiled when she turned his earlier statement around on him, and put his wallet away. After they got their orders they sat at a table outside and ate their treat after they finished they cleaned up their trash and left. As they walked Rocco decided he had to potty and shaking her head as she got out a bag to pick it up she told Devon this was the worst part about owning a dog. Devon laughed at her, but helped her pour a dollop of hand sanitizer in her palm and then they continue on their way. When they got back home, they separated for the evening so Devon could study, but before he turned to walk to his apartment Mona reached up and kissed him on the check thanking him for the wonderful evening. Devon watched her as he leaned down and seeing no protest he kissed her lightly on the lips once, twice and then a third time, the last one was a little firmer as his soft lips pressed against hers, but it was still a chaste kiss. "I better go, I have to study and you are too distracting." he told her as he straightened and walked to his apartment door. they were both getting ready to enter their respective apartments when he turned and told her, "I had a great time as well. Good night Mona."
Later that evening she called Hanna and Aria for a group chat and a gossip session. Hanna was complaining about her demanding boss again. Aria was complaining about Mike's girlfriend who kept giving her dirty looks like she had done something to her and Mona told them about the impromptu date. Immediately both her friends forgot about their complaints and started grilling her about Devon. The three of them talked for about an hour before they hung up. They made plans for Hanna to come next weekend so the three of them could have a girl's weekend. That night when Mona went to bed she was couldn't stop smiling and fell into a dreamless, peaceful sleep.
Note: Hope you like this chapter? What do you think about Devon? I'm kind of falling for him personally. Anyway, I hope readers don't mind the Aria/Mona friendship, it seems like most of the Mina stories I read it is more popular to have Aria hating Mona, but I really thought after the everything that happened the other girls, beside Hanna, should have developed a friendship with her especially Aria since Mike really did love her. Please review.
Thanks for reading GrimLi
P.S.: I Imagine Devon looking similar to model Max Barczak and this is Mona's outfit, I decided to add a pic of the ensemble I had put together in my mind.
