Free Dare by Celia Juliano Page A

instilled in her, for all their strictness, a sense of the power of forgiveness. If only she could forgive herself for the mistakes of the past.
    She’d worked on it all in therapy these last years, but most of that time was devoted to cleaning up the emotional mess left by her marriage and guilt about shorting Layla on so much because of her choices. Her choices still haunted her, the shadow sides of the spirits of her parents and sister who lived on in her and around her. Would they have forgiven her? She believed, maybe, but feeling it from others, the pat of Marcella’s hand, Grandpop’s brief touch on her shoulder, showed her she was okay, helped her feel forgiven. And Joey—his arms around her, their closeness, the intimacy of their touch, the tenderness in his eyes, opened her to a sense of forgiveness she hadn’t known. Yet she hadn’t been able to stay with it. A wave of fear had overtaken her and she’d run like the first time she’d been confronted with the waves of the Pacific Ocean, so huge and surging, nothing like the gentle lapping of the lake near where she’d grown up in Mexico.
    She glanced around downstairs. Voices sounded from the kitchen. Joey sat at the long table with Becca and Pete. Joey stood, his gaze steady on her.
    “Marcella’s sitting with Layla?” Becca asked. Pete grasped her hand.
    That togetherness, that’s what she dreamed of, longed for. She rubbed her palm where Joey had thumbed it earlier.
    “Yes. Maybe…” She darted her eyes at the others.
    “Pete and I are here too. But she had a good nap, and a long day. Seems like she’ll sleep soundly.”
    “She feels safe here.” Layla wasn’t the only one. But Ariella had felt safe here before, and she’d left. Guilt and fear had pulled her like the tornado that swirled Dorothy into its midst.
    “She is safe.” Becca nodded. “Have fun, huh? Now I’m dragging Pete into the other room to watch Love Actually .”
    Ariella glanced at Joe. She’d like to take his hand and join Becca and Pete, two couples relaxing, watching a sweet movie, snuggling and chatting. She liked loud fun too—dancing, parties, music, and laughter—but those kind of quiet times were special, made her feel normal again, safe, loved.
    But, she and Joey needed to talk.
    “You have fun too,” Ariella said.
    Becca and Pete rose and ambled out.
    “Mind if we go talk at my place?” Joey asked. “Or we can go to a café, if you’d be more comfortable.” Joey watched her.
    She rubbed her hands on her hips. The privacy of his place would be better, but then she’d be tempted to touch him, to have more of what they’d enjoyed earlier. “Your place.”
    He stepped to her and took her hand. She let out a breath. His warm, strong hand surrounding hers eased her discomfort. She wasn’t a teenager anymore. She was a woman, and she knew what she wanted—a chance at a life with Joey. He didn’t respect her less because she’d fallen into bed with him…though it hadn’t been a bed. She half-smiled as the image of him gazing at her as she felt him slide into her flashed into her mind. Her skin warmed and her hips felt heavy, a delicious weight.
    She squeezed his hand as they walked out through the garage.
    “My car’s just down the street.”
    She nodded. The night air prickled her skin, causing her to draw closer to his heat. She leaned into his shoulder, contentment easing her thoughts. He opened the passenger door for her. Sliding onto the seat, she breathed in. His scent embraced her. They drove downhill. She glanced around, the holiday wreaths and lights, the people walking close together, bundled in scarves and coats, Christmas music blending with the sounds of traffic and breezes all filling her senses, making her feel home.
    He parked behind Sal’s restaurant. Another place she wanted to revisit. So many memories. She would have time now.
    With his hand on her lower back, he guided her to the top floor. Threads of heat formed a pattern