Free Forgiveness and Second Chances by Ancelli

and parked behind Jeremy’s SUV. His house and the landscaping were beautiful. She got out of her car, walked up to his front door, and rang the doorbell. She heard footsteps on the other side of the door. He opened it, smiling. His hair was still wet. He wore jeans and a blue T-shirt. Oh God, he still makes my heart flutter, she thought, touching her chest, trying to calm down.
    “Welcome to our home,” he said, guiding her in. “Sorry it took so long.”
    She took in the sight of his house as they walked in. He showed her to the living room, which was decorated in natural colors. He had a big-screen TV above a fireplace, a brown suede sofa and loveseat, and two small coffee tables. “You have a lovely home.”
    “Thank you.” He kissed her cheek, making it warm. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back—let me check on the food.” He left to what she assumed was the kitchen.
    Alanie came running from the back room and gave her a hug. “Hi, Ms. Malanie!”
    She hugged her back. “Hi, baby. I’ve missed you.”
    “Me too.”
    “How was school?” she asked.
    “It was okay. I got a B on my math test. Thank you for helping me understand dividing decimals.” They sat down.
    “Any time. I love numbers.”
    Jeremy came back out of the kitchen. “Dinner is ready.”
    “We made your favorite. Lasagna, without ricotta cheese, extra mozzarella,” Alanie said, excited.
    Malanie stared at Jeremy. “You remembered.”
    He smiled. “The table is set.” They moved to the dining room, sat down, and at Jeremy’s nod, Alanie said a prayer.
    “God is great, God is good, and we thank you for our food. By his mercy we are fed. Give us, Lord, our daily bread.”
    They picked up their forks and started eating. “Mmm, this is so good,” Malanie said, guiding her fork through her lips.
     
     
    Jeremy just stared at her mouth, the way it wrapped around her fork. I forgot how arousing her full lips are .
    “I’m happy you liked it, Mom,” Alanie said. “It’s okay if I call you Mom?”
    Malanie couldn’t get the words out of her mouth fast enough. “Yes, it’s okay.”
    Jeremy stared at their interactions. “Finally,” he whispered.
    After they ate, Jeremy and Alanie took her on a tour of their house and backyard. She fell in love with his garden. It was filled with flowers and vegetables, from tomatoes to cucumbers.
    “I didn’t know you were into gardening?”
    He chuckled. “I wasn’t, until I got the house, and the garden was included.”
    “Dad and I spend quality time out here,” Alanie said, pulling a weed.
    “Carolyn helps out.”
    After the tour, they all sat down, and watched a movie until Alanie fell asleep on her dad’s lap. He picked her up, and they both walked into her room, he laid her down on her bed. Her room was decorated in white and lilac colors, with flowers everywhere. He kissed her cheeks, said good night, clicked on her night light and grabbed Malanie by her hand, walking her out of their little girl’s room.
    “Thank you for a great night,” she said, picking up her purse.
    “Do you have to leave already?” He took her purse from her. “Let me pour you a glass of wine.”
    “Sure.”
    She followed him into the kitchen. “Red or white?”
    “Red.” She sat at the island.
    He poured wine into a glass and handed it to her.
    “Where’s yours?” she asked.
    “I haven’t drank liquor since that night.”
    She gazed at him, and he couldn’t stop observing her, how beautiful she was. Her hair was still naturally curly. He remembered how he used to love playing with her hair. She drew the goblet to her lips and a small moan escaped his mouth. Thankfully, she didn’t hear it. Her juicy, full lips, which still had a hint of lip gloss, were calling him.
    She gazed at him. “Tonight meant a lot.”
    “It meant a lot to Alanie and me, too. How’s therapy coming along?”
    “It’s helping a lot. I’ve learned how to channel my feelings.” She sipped her wine. “The