Free Forgiveness and Second Chances by Ancelli Page A

abuse wasn’t my fault.”
    “No man has the right to put his hands on a woman,” he said, gazing at her. “At least not in a violent way.”
    He just gazed at her, and slowly brought his hand to a lock of her hair and started rubbing it between his fingers. “I missed this,” he whispered, moving forward.
    She picked up the goblet and took another sip, gazing into his eyes. “I missed our friendship.”
    “Is that all you missed?” he asked, still touching her hair.
    She put down the glass. “I made so many mistakes. If only I could do things over.”
    “We both made mistakes. Mistakes we are trying to make right.”
    She stared at the last bit of wine. “What if it’s too late?”
    “It’s never too late….” He cupped her face.
    She leaned in and their lips finally met, opening for each other, after almost eleven years apart. It felt like slow motion. His entire body went numb with arousal. As if trying to make up for all the lost time, his tongue took control of hers, making love to her mouth, tasting her wine.
     
     
    No kiss had ever made her feel so wanted or desired. His tongue was talented, leading her to do anything it commanded. A moan escaped her as she placed her fingertips in his silky, brown hair.
    His hands made their way around her waist, pulling her closer before he backed away, trying to catch his breath. He was about to kiss her again when she put her hands on his chest. “I think I should leave,” she sighed, out of breath.
    He gave her a soft, lingering kiss and released her. “You’re right.”
    They went to the living room and Malanie grabbed her purse. Jeremy followed her to the front door and opened it. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
    “Ask.”
    “Would you be my date to the Navy Ball?”
    “When?”
    “Next month. October 13th.”
    She gazed at him, smiling. “Yes, I would love to.”
     

Chapter Fifteen
     
    “Good morning, Ace Accounting. This is Malanie Johnson. How can I help you?”
    “Don’t hang up, it’s Carmen. I need to apologize.” Malanie kept silent. “Can we meet for lunch?”
    “Fine, I’ll meet you at the small Chinese restaurant on Phillips Road. But I have to go. I’m very busy right now. Twelve thirty?”
    “I’ll see you there.” She hung up.
    Malanie just stared at the phone. What is she up to now?
     
***
     
    Malanie chose that specific restaurant because she knew Jeremy usually went there for lunch. She sat near the exit, waiting for Carmen to make her grand entrance.
    Something was up. She had a bad feeling, as she sat sipping on her glass of lemonade.
    Carmen came in with a big grin on her face. “You came. I thought you would stand me up.” She sat in front of Malanie, looking around.
    “I told you I would.” She looked at her former friend suspiciously.
    “Malanie, I’m so sorry for the things I said to you. I didn’t mean it. I know Luis needs help and I told him.”
    “He does needs help, but that’s not my problem anymore.”
    “I always thought you could fix him.”
    “Fix him, Carmen? He is not a machine. He needs professional help. Maybe something happened to him as a child or he is mimicking what he saw. Therapy has helped me a lot. It might help him too.”
    Jeremy, Derrick, and Briana entered the restaurant. Malanie could overhear they were talking about work. Jeremy’s gaze met hers and she smiled.
    Carmen looked over to where she was smiling. “Damn, who’s that?”
    Jeremy waved, and continued past with the waitress.
    Carmen followed him with her eyes, then focused back on her. “I love men in uniform.”
    “That’s Jeremy.”
    “Naw….” She looked over at his table. “He sure has grown up to a fine specimen.”
    Malanie cleared her throat. “I thought you didn’t like him?”
    “That was then, but now….”
    She didn’t like how Carmen was gawking at Jeremy. “So, what have you been up to lately?”
    “Nothing much. I broke up with Devin, and that’s why I’m back. I need