Love or war?

Chapter Nineteen

We arrive at the mall and all start walking around. Definitely glad Ace and I got back together or this whole trip would've been totally third wheeling for me.

We're walking around the mall and Ace reached over and grabbed my hand. It was a great feeling having his fingers intwined with mine again. But unfortunately it didn't last for long. While we were walking along I caught a glimpse of, you guessed it, Alexis out of the corner of my eye. I ripped my hand away from Ace and grabbed Naomi's arm pulling her back towards me. Ace's eyes get wide as he turns around looking at me like "what the heck just happened. "

"We'll be right back," I quickly say pulling Naomi back with me as Ace and Aidan walk away completely clueless.

"What?" Naomi asks

"Alexis is in that store and I'm going to talk to her," I smirk

"Would Ace want you to do that?"

"Umm..... Yes,"

"Alani!"

"Come on let's go!" I say pulling her with me.

We walk into the store and I just can't wait to see Alexis' response.

"Oh hey Alexis!" I say putting on a fake smile.

"Alani? In a store like this? What are they giving away free clothes to people with no fashion? How sweet,"

"Oh good one. Well look, I just wanted to remind you you don't have a boyfriend and should stop wishing you do,"

"Alani," Naomi grabbed my arm but I shook her off.

"You're so funny. Well you know what else is funny? A wet dog,"

"What are you talking-" I realized exactly what she meant when she spilled her room temperature Starbucks all over me. And all her prissy little friends thought it was so funny.

"Alexis! Why do you think you can do that? You're an awful person! Come on Alani lets go," Naomi said motioning me towards the door.

"Alexis, I just want you to know that although I do appreciate the wonderful coffee scent you've let me borrow, I have my own perfume," with that I turned and walked out of the store to find the bathrooms. On the way to find the bathroom we came across the guys.

"Where did you guys go we've been looking- babe! What happened?" Ace asks after realized I'm covered in coffee.

"Nothing. I'm fine," I say continuing and Naomi follows.

"Why aren't you telling him?" She asks

"Because if he knows I purposely talked to Alexis he'll be livid," I mumble so the following Ace won't hear.

"Alani. Alani. Alani please stop. Please?" I finally stop giving in but not turning around.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Alani please turn around so I can see you,"

"No thanks,"

"What happened?" He turns me around.

"It's none of your business alright?!" I shake him off and keep walking. I stop once I get around the corner realizing Naomi didn't follow me. I peek around the wall so I can watch what's happening. Ace runs his hand through his hair and sighs.

"Naomi can you tell me what happened?" He asks basically begging her. Naomi looks down for a few minutes and then finally answers.

"She went in to talk to Alexis and Alexis dumped her coffee all over her." Naomi seriously just betrayed me for my boyfriend? Ace runs his hand through his hair again.

"Where's Alexis?" He asks obviously furious

"Ace don't. Alani didn't even want you to know. She shouldn't have gone to talk to her." Naomi says.

"So what do I do?"

"What?"

"What do I do Naomi? I'm so confused with her. One minute we're fine and the next she's mad at me. What am I doing wrong?"

"Nothing,"

"It has to be something because it's not just once but it happens all the time,"

"It's not you," I speak up walking back over to them.

"Alani what's wrong? Please talk to me." He says reaching for my hands.

"I wanted to talk to Alexis. Just to finally show her that I won. But it didn't go as planned,obviously, I ended up wearing a drink. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have gone in there and this new coffee outfit is completely my fault."

"Aww sweetheart, it's ok. And on the bright side this latte definitely gave you a tan," Ace smirks kissing my hand. "Tastes good too," he laughs licking his lips.

After getting cleaned up we all left the mall and went our separate ways. Well not so separate, Ace and I stayed with each other.

"So princess latte, what's the next stop?"

"That nickname is not going to stick," I roll my eyes. "I have to babysit this little girl. You should help?"

"Sounds perfect," he smiles.

After picking up little Paisley we drove up to the park where she could play.
We sit down on a bench as Paisley runs to play on the swings.

"Such cute young parents," this lady says sitting on a bench beside us.

"Oh no, we're not parents. Just babysitters," I smile.

"Well, one day you will be. I promise. You two are adorable and will make fabulous parents someday," she smiles then walks away.

"Well Mrs.Smith what do you think?" Ace asks putting his arm around me.

"Ew," I joke sliding away from him as he playfully pulls me back.

"Ace will you pleaseeee come play with me?" Paisley asks walking up to us.

"Of course," Ace beams grabbing her hand as she leads him over by the slides. Watching this is melting my heart. My wonderful boyfriend being so good with little kids is really the best sight to see.

"Lani you come play too," Paisley says coming back to the bench where I was sitting.

"So what are we playing?" I ask.

"Wedding!" Paisley announced with the biggest smile. "I'm the marrier and you are the couple. Here," Paisley picked a few dandelions and handed them to me. "Now go up there and walk down the aisle to Ace," I follow orders and walk down the mulch aisle with my dandelion bouquet.

"Do you Ace take Lani to be your wife?"

"I do."

"And do you Lani take Ace to be your husband?"

"I do."

"You may kiss your bride,"

Ace leaned in and rested his hand on my cheeks before touching his lips to mine. After pulling away we touched foreheads and I couldn't help but smile.

"Now that you're married we can go home," Paisley said with a cheeky grin walking in between us holding both our hands.