Love or war?

Chapter Twelve

I woke up the next morning to a text and missed call. Both from Ace. I decide to read the text first.

Hey babe I assume you're probably still asleep. When you get the chance come down to the beach ❤️

Aww he's so cute. I get up and start to get ready. As I walk down the stairs I tell my mom I'm going to the beach which is no surprise considering that's where I live most of the time.

As I come around the trees there is no one in sight. It is pretty early, the best time to be at the beach because it's so peaceful. Maybe Ace left because I took too long I think pulling out my phone. I go to text him as I feel strong arms come from behind me pulling me up off my feet and spinning me into the air. My stomach is fluttering with thousands of butterflies as I put my hands on his arms and let out a little squeal mixed with a laugh. As my feet hit the ground again I turn around to see Ace with a mischievous smile.

"Well hello to you too," I say standing on my tip toes reaching his lips that I gently peck.

"What has you so happy this early in the morning?" Ace asks with a smirk already knowing the answer was himself.

"Oh, I saw this hot guy on the way down here and he said hi to me," I smile deviously as Ace sends a death glare at me.

"I kid, I kid," I say grabbing his hand.

"You better be," he says letting his protective nature get the best of him.

"I'm not... He was really hot," I say avoiding his eyes and trying not to smile. Ace drops my hands and looks at me anger showing.

"Now you know how it feels," I say giving him a cheeky grin.

"Gosh you're lucky you're cute," Ace sighs grabbing my hand again.

"I know it works for me," I say grabbing his hand and starting to walk.

"So just wanted to go for a romantic walk on the beach? You're good at this boyfriend thing Ya know," I say watching the waves crash.

"Why thank you but it's pretty easy to come up with any excuse to hang out with your favorite person," he says looking over at me. This boy melts my heart. I don't even know what to say.

"That's your cue to be cute," Ace winks at me. I attempt to wink back but I can't wink so I just look like a dork scrunching my face. Ace starts laughing his adorable little laugh and puts his arm around me.

"You're adorable babe. Seriously the only thing that can make me melt," he says looking down. We think the same things oh goodness this is perfect.

"I was legit about to say that," I say realizing I'm not very cute. "Good thing you're good with words cause I'm not," I say and Ace just laughs again and kisses my forehead.

"How come I'm so lucky?" I ask not really meaning to say it out loud.

"Well if you're talking about guys luck has nothing to do with it. You're amazing and any guy would die to be with you I'm just the lucky dork you chose," he says scratching the back of his head. That's it I can't do this anymore. I turn to him and kiss him. I love this boy and I can't help it. As we pull away Ace has this big smile on his face.

"I definitely chose the right thing to say," he says still grinning from ear to ear.

"You definitely did. Proud of you kid," I say patting his chest.

Lots of cuteness later Ace and I split up I have lunch plans with Naomi. I meet her at the restaurant and we sit down in a booth in the back.

"You look very smiley what's up with you?" Naomi asks picking up the menu.

"Just the luckiest girl in the whole," I say gazing out the window.

"Usually I say Ew couples but I can't even do that because seeing my best friend so happy makes the couple thing ok," she says smiling.

"Aww that was nice," I say grabbing my menu. As we wait for our food I tell Naomi all about the beach that morning. Then we see two guys about our age walk in and comes towards our booth.

"Hey ladies mind if we join," one of them asks looking like a punk who just wants to use a girl.

"Actually I do mind we're almost done anyway," thank goodness Naomi isn't afraid to say no.

The guys just blow it off and sit at a table near us. The one who asked if they could join kept looking at me and winking and checking me out. I felt so uncomfortable and I just wanted to go but we hadn't got the bill yet. Naomi could tell I was feeling uncomfortable and mouthed "sorry" as we were still waiting. Then the bell on the door rings as two more guys come in. Ace and Aidan. Naomi looks at me but I tell her I didn't tell Ace where I was having lunch and it was just a coincidence. Ace is very nice and always respects my time with other people so he just waved and him and Aidan sat at a table near the door. I guess he saw the guy hitting on me because he was tapping the table really anxiously and I could see anger gathering in his eyes.

"Can you mind your own business?!?" I hear a loud outburst from the front of the restaurant knowing it was Ace. Somehow I'm relieved knowing he's protecting me. I look at Naomi and she looks oddly satisfied as well.

"Why don't you?" The random guy spats back.

"I'll have you know that's my girlfriend and I don't appreciate you looking at her like that so please keep to your own meal," Ace says standing up showing he is bigger than that guy.

"Then maybe you should keep a tighter leash on her!" The random guy yells getting up to leave.

"Obviously you don't know how to treat a girl because she's not my dog," Ace says a calm in his voice.

"Bet you treat her like one," the guy says and the bell rings as he walks out.

"That's it," Ace says running outside after the guy but Aidan grabs his arm. Thank goodness for friends like Aidan.

"It's not worth it bro chill out," Aidan says bringing Ace back to reality. He sits back down still looking like he's going to break something. I look at Naomi and she nods at me to go talk to him and I get up. I sit down next to Ace.

"Babe I'm sorry I didn't-"

"It's not your fault that guys a -"

"Shhh," I say covering his mouth. "It's ok he's gone now and it doesn't matter,"

"I know but the way he was talking about you and looking at you. You don't deserve that at all." Ace says still mad but cooling down a little.

"Well it's over now and- look we're quite the match makers," I say motioning over to where Aidan went to talk to Naomi. Ace laughs a little and puts his hand on mine.

"I'm sorry Alani. I don't like being mad that guy just I don't know,"

" I know it's ok you had a right to be mad. He was a jerk. But it's all good now," I say trying to make my smile seem as real as possible. If Ace knows that guy really was bothering me he'd really go at it and I don't want to have to bail him out of jail.

"It is. As long as you're ok. Cause if not I can go out there and-"

"I'm fine. No need to go all hulk smash," Ace laughs and his smile makes me feel all tingly inside.

"I guess we have a little more time considering Aidan is getting it," Ace says moving his eyebrows as I smack him.

"Hey that's my best friend he better not," I say playfully

"He's not he's a good kid I promise,"

"I know he is I just wanted to try and be the protective one," I say looking up at him with a smirk. "As a matter of fact I think I can take that guy," I say getting up pretending like I'm going after that guy.

"Babe I'm not even playing don't go near him," Ace says grabbing my arm half smiling.

"Wasn't planning on it," I say shaking off his grip.

"Good." He says sternly but with a smile. Normally jealousy is a major turn off for me but Ace just has a hint of it and it isn't overbearing, it's kind of adorable.