AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He reached for my chin and I let him cup it in his hand. “I should have come to you sooner, but I thought if I tried to make everything right first, then maybe you’d give me a second chance.”
“W-what did you make right?” I stammered.
“I got Don fired for one,” he said, eyes hardening.
“You did?” My mouth hung open. Don had seemed invincible with the shit he got away with.
“Effective next week. The board is letting him know as we speak. That part took the longest.”
“I can’t believe he’s really gone.”
“Well, to no one’s surprise, he had more complaints lodged against him than I could count. I threatened to bring the story to the media if the board didn’t take action. Funny how they didn’t want a bunch of sexual harassment allegations spoiling their new, genuine dating app.”
“Wow, thanks for doing that,” I said, meaning it. “But if that’s all, I—”
“I quit too.”
“Youwhat?” I couldn’t hide the shock on my face.
“I stepped down, much to Ben’s displeasure. At least now he won’t be stuck with Don. Now I just have an honorary seat on the board. I’m free to do something else. To find something I’m passionate about, like you said. Although, I’m worried I might have already lost the thing I’m most passionate about.” His eyes burned into mine and my throat dried up.
“I can’t believe you did that,” I said.
“You were right. It didn’t mean anything to me. It didn’t bring me happiness. Not the way you do.”
I shook my head in disbelief, laughing to myself.
“What’s funny?” Concern laced his words.
“Just that I’ve had this exact fantasy play out a million times in my head. The one where you rush to me and beg for forgiveness and declare you can’t live without me. Even in that fantasy I didn’t once consider you quitting your job. That’s how improbable I thought it was.”
He took my face between his hands firmly, as if afraid I’d back away at any second.
“Like I said, it doesn’t mean anything to me. Please, Charlie. Give me another shot.”
“You promise it’ll be different this time?” I questioned.
“So different,” he promised. “I know I’m not any good at this, but I’m going to try. You deserve everything.”
Before I could say anything else, he leaned in and kissed me. All the sadness I felt the past few weeks—all the anger—dissolved as soon as his lips met mine. He kissed me slowly at first as if he was trying to memorize every detail. When he finally pulled away, he pressed his forehead against mine.
“So, what do you say?”
I smirked. “I say that maybe I’m the biggest idiot in the world for giving you a second chance, but I’m in love with you too.”
He covered my mouth with his and kissed me more passionately this time. When he pulled away, we were both grinning.
“There is one more thing,” I said, tapping my chin thoughtfully.
“Anything,” he swore.
“Now that you’re unemployed, how would you like some freelance work as a developer for an app for this flourishing small company founded by two brilliant women?”
His lip curled up. “I think I can be persuaded.”
“The pay is shit,” I warned, smiling up at him.
“Anything for you,” he muttered before kissing me again.
