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"But itto admit it himself"

"Charlotte means a lot toto marry her?" His mother’s voice had a breathless, hopeful quality

Jason sipped his coffee He was in love with Charlotte, no question He woke in the hts were of her When he went to bed at night, she was there in hishim into sleep His whole day was focused on when he’d see her again Kiss her again

"Jason?" his ed

"Yes, I’m sure I’ll eventually marry Charlotte"

"Hot damn" His father slapped the table

"Oh, Jason, I couldn’t be happier" His mother dabbed the corners of her eyes with a napkin "I’ for her husband’s hand

"I’m happy you two are so happy" Jason hadn’t talked about e with Charlotte yet, but he’d do that in due course They were still beginning to know each other, feel coether By next summer at just about this time, they’d be ready to take such a monumental step

"Now this is important, son," his father said, his eyes serious "Yourto do what your sisters and Rich and Paul did In other words, don’tthere"

Elizabeth backed her husband up "I’ve waited all these years for a fa and I refuse to be cheated out of my last chance Do you understand me, Jason?"

"Don’t worry," Jason said cal, just for you The whole nine yards"

"A reception, with a dinner and dance?" His rees, and I’"

"But will she ed "My guess is she’d welcome it She doesn’t have any family of her own, you know"

"Personally, I don’t care if your ements or not," his fatherto marry Charlotte behind our backs"

"I already proiven their family’s history, Jason could understand his parents’ skepticism

"So I have your word on this?" his mother asked anxiously

"My word of honor Only…"

"Only what?" His , Mom Don’t worry about it"

"What is it?" she de…Once Charlotte and I decide to marry, would you show her how to make fried chicken like yours?"

It wasn’t fair to bother Jason with her problems, but there wasn’t anyone she trusted more, anyone’s opinion she valued as much Her day at the office had been one of the worst ever Her boss, Mr Ward, had been unreasonable and de in the past, but his abuse that afternoon had reached an all-tih He’d shouted at her, called her inco that was coency due to a proble Charlotte had done, yet she’d taken the brunt of Mr Ward’s anger Unfortunately the insurance agency wasn’t large enough to have a Human Resources department, so there was no one to complain to, no recourse to speak of

It wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last For three years she’d been eency In the beginning she’d enjoyed her job and thrived on the challenge Then, six inal boss, had retired, and she’d found his replacement to be the worst kind of supervisor

She’d made her decision earlier that afternoon, prepared her letter of resignation and placed it on Mr Ward’s desk before leaving the office Although she’d felt confident when she left work, she was vacillating now, uncertain that she’d ht decision

It always seenant, decide to leave, and later, after her anger had cooled, she’d change her mind Mr Ward would seem repentant, try to convince her that his outbursts weren’t personal; they were just his way She’d start to believe him, at least until the next time

Then it occurred to her

What kind of woman would allow a man to verbally abuse her like that? What kind of woman allowed herself to be swayed by cheap talk and empty promises? The kind of wo as she had, that ho

She needed a sounding board, someone who’d listen to her frustration and doubts without casting judg enough to accept her decisions whether she took his advice or not So

Jason answered the phone ihted to hear from her

"I…I had a cruo for a ith ins, but he was curled up with Carrie on the sofa

"I’ll be right over"

As Charlotte left, Carrie was talking on the phone with Brad She hadn’t told her daughter about quitting her job, although she was sure Carrie would cheer her decision

"Hello," Jason said, kissing her lightly on the lips when she stepped out the door