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Rita answered the door, and it took her a second to realize Ariana stood in front of her rather than Bella. “Where’s my sister?”
“At my house.”
“Is she packing her things?”
“Not that I’m aware.”
Rita narrowed her eyes. “Then what are you doing here?”
Ariana gave her a sad smile. “Can we talk?”
“About packing Bella’s belongings so she can return here?”
“No.”
“What then?” Rita crossed her arms, not making room for her best friend to enter.
“Can I come inside?”
“We can talk here.”
Ari sighed. “It’s chilly out here.”
Rita glanced at her friend’s bare arms. “You should’ve worn a jacket.”
“Please?”
“Fine.” Rita stepped aside. “But you won’t change my mind.”
Ariana came into the entry and showed herself to the living room.
Rita followed then chose a seat on the opposite end of the couch as her friend. “If you think I’m going to let my baby sister stay with you any longerorgo to your party, you’re sorely misinformed.”
“But she isn’t a baby. She’s an adult.”
“The girl has no experience making decisions for herself. She doesn’t know what’s good for her. I’ve gone through everything she’s dealing with now, down to a nearly identical forced fiancé.”
“She’s safe with us, and what she really needs is the freedom to make her own choices.”
“Safe?” Rita spit the word out like it was poison. “The entire neighborhood is coming to your house tomorrow night! There’s nothing safe about that. Nothing! Our father has already proven he can get inside the gates of this community.”
Ari scooted closer. “I know you’re worried about her. We are too.”
“If you were, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“Do you really believe that?”
“Yes!”
Ariana rested a hand on Rita’s arm.
She scooted back, like her friend’s touch was a snake about to strike. Her heart pounded loudly enough for them both to hear. “Bella needs someone to guide her.”
“Does she?”
“You don’t know what it’s like having every move you make dictated for you. Your parents gave you small choices to make for yourself, incrementally giving you more say over your life as you grew older. Bella hasn’t had any of that. She’s gotten slapped on the wrist for stepping out of line every day of her life. If she gets free rein over her decisions, she’s going to go crazy. Guaranteed.”
“Maybe it’s time for her to make some mistakes and learn from them.”
