Two Worlds Collided (Ace Merrill)

Beautiful?

I take another bite of my food. Ace finishes telling me a story of a race he was in with a friend- he made a truck swerve off the road because he refused to lose. I laugh, but keep my eyes on my soda.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asks.

I shrug, looking up at the waitress. The whole time we've been here, she hasn't taken her eyes off of Ace. And I swear I've seen him checking her out a few times.

"What is it?" He questions.

I look back at him. He's looking at the waitress, but makes eye contact with me again when I look at him.

"Nothing. Just uncomfortable, watching you two flirt. Or whatever is going on here."

He raises an eyebrow, staring at me for a moment.

"Wait, you're serious?"

I nod. "Yeah, but it's okay. It's my problem, not yours."

He sighs, taking a long drink of his coke. I watch him as I chew another ravioli. It's silent for a little while, then he smiles.

"Answer me this," he says.

I raise an eyebrow at him. "Yes?"

He looks at the waitress, then smirks at me.

"Why would I bring someone like you here, then flirt with the waitress?" He asks.

I'm offended at first, and I glare at him.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I question.

Half of his mouth turns up and he sighs.

"Have you seen yourself? You're beautiful."

I drop my gaze as my face gets warm. I have seen myself, but I'm far from beautiful.

"Thanks," I mutter.

"Now, why would I go and flirt with some waitress who, in all honesty, I think has slept with at least three of my friends?"

I look at him.

"I don't know. Because she's pretty," I reason.

He snorts.

"Hardly. Especially compared to you."

I look at the table again, a tiny beam on my lips.

"Stop that," I say.

"What? I'm simply stating the truth."

I look at him. He's grinning, and his blue eyes are sparkling. My heart stops for a second; he's gorgeous.

"Thanks," I say, "I didn't, um, I didn't think someone like you would ever think that about someone like me."

A crease pops up between his eyebrows.

"What does that mean?"

I shrug, taking another sip of my drink.

"Well, um, you're sort of rebellious, and very handsome. You could get pretty much anyone, you know? I'm just a weirdo that likes to read and gets good grades."

He laughs. I smile dryly. I'm glad I amuse him.

"You're funny, Eleanor."

"I guess."

We finish eating and he pays, tipping like a decent person does. Then we leave the diner, his arm resting on my shoulders as we walk out into the sunny afternoon.