Carson had been so focused on the football season and getting over his injury, he really didn’t have time to think about anything else - especially dating. He had only had one serious relationship in his life and that was the woman he had been with since high school. Towards the middle of the season, it was obvious the way Carson’s life was headed wasn’t something his now ex girlfriend was ready for. Even though the fame part of being an athlete wasn’t for Carson, he knew that it was inevitable, no matter how much he distanced himself from the cameras and all of that off the field. He respected his ex’s wishes and decision, knowing the fame part as well as the constant traveling was tough on her. So, they ended things on good terms and remained good friends.
The quarterback wasn’t sure if he was ready to date or move on from his last relationship, but he also didn’t shy away from this blind date thing. He certainly wasn’t expecting who it was he had been paired with. Blake Lively was a beautiful woman and a talented A-list actress and him? Well, he wasn’t used to this whole Hollywood thing and really, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever be. He was from a completely different world. North Dakota was about as opposite of Hollywood as you could get. Still, he was looking forward to meeting her and taking her on this date. So, he decided to keep it laid back and light. He had heard about the Santa Monica pier, but never actually went. After some research, that’s what he had decided on - between the food, the rides, and the games, it looked like a great place to have a first date.
It didn’t take long to find the blonde as he arrived at their meeting place. She was even more beautiful in person. Seeing her wave, he smiled back and walked over. He still had a bit of a limp to his step from his heeling ACL injury, but at least he was able to ditch the cane now. He nodded at her question and extended his hand to introduce himself. “I’m Carson. You’re Blake, right? It’s nice to meet you,” He said politely. “I hope this is okay,” He said, meaning the location. “I’ve never actually been here before, but I’ve heard good things.”
Blake was still recovering from the mess of her love life, but she had told herself in the beginning of the year that she would be open-minded and live her life in a way that would make her happy first and foremost, so she had actually been looking forward to this date. Of course, with all dating came uncertainties especially when going on a date with someone you’d never met before, but from what she had heard about Carson he seemed like a really decent (and handsome) guy, that she was looking forward to getting to know.
“This is perfect, I was actually just thinking about how I’ve never been here at night, and the only times I’ve come during the day were times that I had to be here to film, it looks like a lot of fun!” Blake was the kind of person to get excited really easily and taking her to a place with rides, food and games was the perfect way to do it. “It’s really nice to meet you Carson... and while we’re on introductions I think that I should give you a disclaimer on the fact that I know nothing about football, but I was rooting for your team during the Superbowl.” she said, trying to break the ice and get him to see that at the very least, she was friendly and excited about their date.
A lot of people only knew Blake as an actress, but in getting to know her she hoped that people could see that she was more than that, and wasn’t the kind of person who thought of fame as something that was important because it wasn’t, and she couldn’t care less, because what was important to her was having fun and doing what was comfortable in your own skin. This was all evident in her decisions to keep her kids from being in the public eye, and her outfit choice on their date being a pair of jeans and baby blue off shoulder top. “What do you want to do first? It looks like we’ve got a lot of options..”
