Free Fated - A Mermaid's Curse 2 by Daniele Lanzarotta

were up. We’re leaving in about forty-five minutes.”
    “ Okay,” says Blake. “Thanks.”
    He leans over and kisses my forehead. “Why don’t you go and get in the shower while I check my email.”
    I nod and walk into the bathroom. I turn the water on, and when I get in, the feeling is no different then the first time taking a shower after leaving the ocean behind. The water’s temperature needing to be adjusted and the way it hits my skin are things that I will never get used to. I close my eyes and try to think of the ocean, of how the water calms and relaxes every part of my body. I’m just starting to feel that when I hear Blake yell at someone.
    “ That is absurd and you know it! ... No, I’m not disrespecting you to your face. You know I’m with Arianna. You even said that was fine as long as I was still working for you, which I am and that she didn’t come to the house… Of course I want to keep mom and Molly in my life. That was never a question, but bringing Brooke to dinner just for appearances is ridiculous!”
    I turn the water off. I freeze and tense as I hear every word he says. I can’t believe what I’m hearing and in a way, I knew all of this was too good to be true.
    “ You know, what? Fine, dad. If she wants to meet us there, whatever, but Arianna is coming, too… Of course she is here and I’m sure you already knew that! … Why else? No, I’m not trying to be disrespectful, okay. I don’t understand what difference it makes for Mikaelis that Brooke is there with me, I mean… why put on the act when he’s already signing the papers… yes, I know… he’s friends with Brooke’s dad who referred him to us. Yeah… fine.”
    I stare at myself in the mirror wondering if things will go back to how they used to be in the beginning; yet, I can’t ask Blake to change. I can’t ask him to do something that will jeopardize his relationship with his mom and Molly. Still… I can’t keep myself from getting mad.
    When I hear footsteps around the room and then approaching the bathroom door, I turn quickly around and lock the door.
    “ Arianna,” says Blake.
    I don’t say anything.
    “ You heard me on the phone, didn’t you?”
    I take a deep breath and swing the door open. He has this apologetic look that is a mix of hurt, regret, and everything else bad.
    I still have the towel wrapped around me and as much as my brain is telling me to walk past him and throw a fit, my heart can’t stand to hurt him for something that is not his fault.
    Blake just watches me as he looks for the right words.
    I bite my bottom lip, then let go and sigh. “Should I stay here while you go to this dinner?”
    “ Absolutely not,” he says. “I want you there with me. I’m done playing his games. If she wants to meet us at the restaurant, fine, but I’m bringing you.”
    I smile at him and feel my body relax. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his waist. “Thank you,” I say.
    “ Why are you thanking me?”
    “ Because I couldn’t endure a minute of thinking of you and her alone.”
    He could have made a million comments about my being jealous, which I was, but he didn’t. He simply leaned down and kissed me, then pulled away slowly and told me that he was going to get a quick shower and that we had to get going.
    I open the bag from Carol to find a black dress inside of it. I put it on and look at the mirror. The straps are thin, it is low cut, yet elegant, and it comes to right above my knees. I really do love it. I then grab the shoebox and freeze when I see the pair of heels. I start to panic knowing that I can’t walk in these.
    I hear a soft knock on the door and this time I open it, holding my shoes on one hand.
    I find Carol standing in front of me.
    “ Oh, you look wonderful, Arianna.”
    Then she sees the look on my face and asks what’s wrong.
    And there are so many things wrong, but I start with the shoes and I look from her to them. “I can’t walk in heels,” I