Princess of Brooklyn

Chapter 12

PRESENT

The three of us got ready for the day. I got a shower and put my hair in a loose bun. I but on my blue floral dress, black heels, and my warmest jacket.

Once we were all ready, we made our way to the circulation buildin'.

I saw Grant and Ace together, so I nudged Cricket and Dutchy.

"Ace. Hi." I said.

Ace did a double take, "Nikki! What are ya doin' here?" He said.

"Well, I came to see ya. Grant showed me where ya live, too." I said.

"Why didn't ya come in to see me?" He asked, regripping his papes.

"Well you seemed busy... suckin' on Red's face." I stated.

He cleared his throat.

"Well, we gotta sell, so..." I pushed past them and began walkin' down the street.

"Nikki!" Ace ran after me.

"Yeah?" I said quietly.

"Are ya mad that I left? Is that why you're actin' like this?" He asked.

"No, I..." I couldn't think of what to say.

"Let's talk somewhere. Come on." He grabbed my hand and we walked up to a tall, brown buildin'. He leaded me up to the roof and we sat down across from each other.

"The truth is... Ace.. I really l-" I was cut off by the voice of Grant.

"Hi Ace. Hey Nikki." He said.

"Hi." I said nervously.

"Grant. Can ya cheese it? We're tryin' to talk." Ace said impatiently.

"Anythin' ya can say to my girl, ya can say to me." He smirked.

Ace went pale and looked at me.

"Ace." I said, graspin' at his arm as he stood up.

"Ya girl, huh?" Ace said.

"Well, after kissin' me, I assumed we were. Right, Nikki?" He said.

"Grant, no. I was drunk. Ya know I came to see Ace." I said.

"Then why'd ya kiss 'em?" Ace said, pulling away from me.

"I was drunk! I saw ya with Marie and I got jealous. So I wanted... to get even." I said.

Ace huffed and climbed down the fire escape. I followed.

"Ace! Ace!" He ran his fingers through his hair. I finally caught up to 'em and dragged him into an alley way.

"I loved ya Nikki! Don't ya get that!" He yelled.

"...Ya do? Really?" I whispered.

"Did ya even read the letter? I told ya why I left. I have to pretend to like her." His eyes watered.

"Come back with me." I said.

"Ya know I can't. She'll call the cops on me."

I grabbed his hand, "Then we'll run away together."

A tear steamed down his cheek and I wiped it away with my thumb. I kept my hand on his cheek and he kissed my finger.

I looked into his dreamy eyes and he leaned in close.
"I love you." He gently kissed my lips and I felt butterflies.

I was gently pushed against the cold brick wall and then kissed again. My heart was beatin' fast and then he stopped.

"I have to go, meet me at the docks. 10:00." He said.

"Ace wait." He stopped and turned around.

I kissed him softly and ran my fingers through his hair. He held my waist tightly.

"See ya at 10." I said, staring at his lips.