"Where'd you go to?" I had barely gotten in the door, my dad was standing in the kitchen, scrutinizing me. He took a long dramatic sip from his cup of coffee. He saw my flushed cheeks. "How's Rob?" I let out the breath I had been holding in.
"He's outside, admiring my car." I laughed and sat down in the living room, next to the large bay window looking out on the front yard. I could feel in my chest my heart was quickening. Could I be falling for him? I sighed and let myself admit it. I was falling for him, hard.
After Rob was done ogling over my car, he came in. My dad watched us from the kitchen, circling like a hawk. I tried to hide my irritation, but I think he caught on.
"I'm going to head to bed." He headed upstairs, but I could hear him stop midway up the stairs. I got off the couch and headed to the stairs.
"Dad, your not fooling anyone." I laughed quietly. My dad looks down at the step he's on, trying to hid the grin spread across his face. He moved back down and gave me a hug to disguise the fact he was whispering in my ear.
"Claire, I just don't want you do anything you don't want to do yet." He gave me a weak smile and headed back up the stairs. I stood in shock, trying to shake off the gross feeling my dad had just given me. I shuttered and snapped back into reality. I headed into the kitchen and poured two glasses of wine. I brought the glasses back to the living room, handing one to Rob.
"Cheers to your 21st birthday." Rob raised his glass, meeting mine with a small clink. We both took a sip and set our glasses on the table. "So what was that all about?" Rob chuckled and put his arm around my shoulder. I sighed and put my head on his shoulder.
"You don't want to know."
I stood in front of the mirror. I was getting ready for my date with Rob. I couldn't decide how to wear my hair, up in a ponytail or down in curls. I decided to go with the curls. I applied my makeup and glanced in the mirror again. I looked amazing, and no one was going to ruin this night.
Rob picked me up at 7:30 in his Audi. I opened the door and on my seat was a box. I picked up the box and set it on my lap. It was wrapped in silver metallic wrapping paper with a black ribbon. It matched my outfit. It seemed like something Rob would do. Rob started the car and we made our way to a club in downtown L.A. We sat down at table near the stage in the front of the large darkly lit room.
I glanced down at the present in my hands. I wanted to know what it was. Rob ordered us the best bottle of wine and we had a toast to my birthday. Than, before I could ask to open the present, Rob made me get up and dance, even though I objected. Finally, after dancing to more songs than i would have liked, Rob insisted I open my present.
I untied the bow and then tied it in my hair, causing Rob to laugh. I than unwrapped the paper, careful not to tear it. It was a white box. I opened the box to find, another box, this one smaller. After opening 4 more boxes, I was left with a long satin box. He actually got me jewelry. I opened the box slowly to expose a dainty diamond bracelet. My mouth dropped. It looked like something that would cost quite a bit.
"Oh, Rob. It's gorgeous." I took it out of its home on a bed of satin and had Rob put it on my wrist. I couldn't keep my eyes off of it.
"Than it's perfect for someone as gorgeous as you." Rob smiled and took a sip of his wine. "That is excellent wine." He set his glass down. I still had my eyes on the bracelet, the lights reflecting off causing it to sparkle. Finally, I looked up and took a sip of my wine, and Rob was not kidding. It was delicious.
By 9, I was on my 5th glass of wine and it was getting to me. Rob watched cautiously as I got back on the dance floor, and let me tell you, dancing is not my forte. I was sure I looked like an idiot, but at that moment I didn't even care.
By 9:30, I was on the floor in a stall in the womens bathroom, throwing up. I stumbled out and Rob sighed.
"Let's get you home." He then led me out before I could protest. I got in his car and rested my head on the back of the seat. And before I was lost to unconsciousness, i heard Rob whisper; "Your going to regret this in the morning."
When I woke up, I was sure my head was being split in two. I tried to sit up, the room was spinning. The sun blasted in through the large windows in the corner. As my eyes adjusted, I realized this was not my room.
"Good morning." Rob handed me a cup of coffee and sat down next to me. "Feeling better?" I brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes, his voice was much to loud.
"Stop shouting." I set the cup down and laid back down, my head now in Rob lap. I groaned loudly.
"Ah, I see. I'll take that no." He took a sip of his coffee and stroked my hair. "Close your eyes." He spoke softly, his fingers running through my hair.
"What, what about my dad? He'll kill me." I spoke with a scratchy voice, my throat was dry.
"Don't worry, I called him and it's all okay." His voice got quieter as he spoke.
"Thanks." I sighed and fell back asleep.
I spent the rest of the day in Rob's loft. He made lunch, grilled cheese, and kept me company. I still felt hung over, but I felt better than I had that morning. After lunch, Rob and I talked.
"Did you know you talk in your sleep?" A sly smile spread across Rob's face. I felt sick all over again. I winced.
"What did I say?" I hid my face in my hands, my eyes closed tight. I tried to think of what I might have said.
"You mumbled a lot, but you caught my attention when you said my name." Rob laughed, but I groaned. "You said that you were unsure about me before, but now-" Rob cut himself off and laughed. "Now you love me." Rob sat quietly, very gentlemanly, waiting for my say in all of this.
"Ugh, why am I so...stupid when I sleep." I massaged my temple, trying to hide my smile. "So, I guess you know now." I sighed and put my head on Rob's shoulder.
"Yep, but, don't feel bad." Rob kissed the top of my head. "I love you too." He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him. "Now, let's get you home. You seem to be feeling better." Rob let go of me and got up.
"No, I want to stay here." I gave him my best puppy eyes. "Please." Rob rolled his eyes and sighed.
"You are impossible." Rob sat back down on the couch and I put my head on his lap and he stroked my hair again. "I can't say no to you." He bent down and kissed the tip of my nose, that my cheeks and finally his lips pressed to mine. His kiss was gentle and caring. We broke apart and Rob laid down next to me. He wrapped his arms around me and whispered in my ear. "You look beautiful when you sleep."