Free The Proposal (Forever Bound Book 2) by Bree Callahan Page B

wanted to believe that Charity would forgive him because she would see it as him having so much love for her, but it was possible he went too far.  They both got in the car and before he started the vehicle, he stopped and glanced at Jesse.  “She will understand, right?”  His face had to be a vast array of emotions, as Jesse leaned back in the car’s seat and watched Derek for a moment before answering him.
    “I see that you love her, and that means a lot.  You speak and people listen…that’s your job, after all.  You’ll talk to her and try to convince her that you’re not as evil as it may look.”
    “Gee, thanks a lot,” Derek replied with a soft laugh.  He turned to his GPS and put in the address, then started the car and pulled out of the parking garage.  Jesse was right, he had to make her listen to him.  “How are you going to make Ana listen to you?” Derek asked.
    Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jesse shrug.  “I guess I’ll play it by ear.”
    Derek understood Jesse’s attitude.  They were both going after women they loved, who currently wanted nothing to do with them.  It wasn’t an easy task. 
    He followed the directions on the GPS until they were pulling into an apartment complex.  It was nicer than the one she left, so he was relieved by that.  He hoped it didn’t have a dirty landlord that didn’t know how to take no for an answer.  They continued through the apartment complex until he spotted the building that Calvin told him she was living in. 
    They pulled into a spot and Derek pointed to the stairs that led to the B apartment.  “That’s where they live.”  He motioned to the cars parked a few spots down from them.  Both Ana’s and Charity’s car was in the parking lot.  They stayed in the car and just stared up at the apartment building, unmoving, and clearly torn at what to do next.
    It was Jesse that spoke first.  “I don’t know what to say to her.”
    Derek thought about that.  He knew everything he wanted to say to Charity, but he didn’t know if he could get the words out, without looking like a bumbling idiot.  “We don’t have to go up yet.”
    Jesse nodded.  “You’re right.  Let’s just sit here for a moment.”
    They did just that.  Derek and Jesse sat there and sat there until one hour passed and then two and then another hour passed and another after that.  At one point after sitting there for five hours, Derek glanced at Jesse.  If we wait much longer, we’re not going to have to go to the door, because they’ll come outside and see us.  Are we going to ever go up?” Derek asked.
    Jesse smirked.  “You know, I’ve wanted to talk to her, and I still want to talk to her, but maybe this isn’t the best route.  I don’t want her to think I’m a stalker and frankly…I’m beginning to think I’m a stalker.”
    Jesse was right, there was very stalkerish, and he wouldn’t blame Charity for being angry with him for showing up out of the blue.  He started the car, and Jesse glanced at him.  Derek nodded.  “You’re right.  We’ll have to think of another way.”
    Jesse groaned and sunk back into his seat.  They pulled back out of the parking lot and headed back to the office.  He had a meeting in an hour anyway, so he needed to prep for that.  Then he would consider what his next step would be.
     
    ****
     
    Charity opened up the final box to unload her personal items when her cell phone rang on Monday afternoon.  “Hello?” she answered, making note that she didn’t know the phone number.
    “Hello, is this Charity Parker?” The woman on the other end of the phone asked.
    “Yes, this is she!”
    “Ms. Parker, this is Evelyn.  We had met at Jamison Daycare last week.
    “Of course!” Charity excitedly stated.  “How are you doing today?”
    “I’m doing well.  Thank you.  I just wanted to call and make an official offer for the job.”  Charity covered her mouth so Evelyn wouldn’t hear her