Unity

I'll take you somewhere spontaneous

From the moment I left the clubhouse yard until the moment I stepped foot into Mels Diner I felt as if I worse a massive red target on my back, I couldn't shake the nervousness from being back outside and it didn't help that everyone I seemed to pass stared at the cuts and bruising that littered my face.

I breathed a sigh of relief once I was sat down at a booth I had served over a thousand times. Ace smiled from opposite me before handing me a menu that had been laid onto the table. I observed the different types of food on the laminate as if I didn't already know what was on there. I already knew what what I was going to order and when I looked back up I was surprised to see that Ace was still watching me.

"You good?" I asked warily, his smile had disappeared and he looked a little all too serious which had me on edge. He seemed to snap out of a trance before his smile returned.

"Yeah I'm good, are you?" He asked, throwing his menu carelessly onto the table. I dropped mine beside his before returning a smile of my own.

"I'm fine Ace." I reassured him, but the look on his face told me he didn't believe me. "Honestly I'm fine."

"Ava." He spoke, his voice just an octave above a whisper. "I'm so sorry." A vulnerable look took over his features as he reached over the table, taking my hands in his large ones. "They won't ever get to you again, I promise you that."

I didn't know how much control Ace had over the whole situation but his words comforted me, I believed him. I didn't know what had changed between us from this afternoon to now but my world was doing a complete three sixty.

"I know." I replied honestly, he sunk back into the booth in what seemed like relief before he sat back up again. He claimed my hands with his own once more, his thumb stroking mine slowly.

"I don't know what we're doing Ava." He sighed and the smile dropped from my face. I didn't know what we were doing either and I frowned. "Hey don't pull that face." He leaned forwards over the table, edging his face closer to mine. My eyes instantaneously zoned in on his plump lips and I bit my own in response, the memory of his lips pressed against mine replaying in my mind.

"Don't do that here." He growled, his lust filled eyes watching mine as he sat back and shuffled uncomfortably in his side of the booth. I lowered my head, a hot blush tainting my cheeks.

"What can I get ya?" A female voice interrupted, causing me to jump and look up at the intruding voice. I instantly scowled, my eyes squinting angrily at the girl who wore an exact copy of my uniform. I'd recognise the gold curly hair and dodgy boob job from anywhere. Cora.

She scowled at me right back before fluttering her eyelashes at Ace and plastering an all too fake smile on her face. Jealousy sparked deep within and I had to bite back a snarky comment at the way she was looking at Ace. To my relief he was paying no attention to her, his gaze still set on me. She noticed this and leaned towards him, pushing her breasts together as she did so.

"What can I get ya puddin'?" She asked again, this time Ace dragged his eyes to meet hers. He looked at her with distaste and I internally screamed with joy.

"I want a cocktail for the lady and a beer for me, I'll call ya when I want some food." He bit out, his eyes instantly returning to mine and I fought to hide the smile on my face.

Cora stood back, looking at me angrily. "What cocktail would you like?" She nearly growled, Ace eyes flickered to hers at the tone of her voice.

"You wanna loose that attitude." He warned before his tone softened as he spoke to me. "Doll? What cocktail do you want?" My eyes widened at his term of endearment, I couldn't tell is he was just being nice or doing it to piss off Cora. Either way, I didn't mind one bit.