(SEE THE SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE BOTTOM)

"If Ever I could Love"

Chapter 2_________________________________________________________________________________________

Songs for Chapter 2: Come a little Closer - Dierks Bently, Your Man - Josh Turner, Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flatts, A Different World- Bucky Covington, Love your Love the Most - Eric Church, Whatever it Takes - Zac Brown Band, I'll Wait for You - Joe Nichols, I Keep on Loving You - Reba McEntire, I Run to You - Lady Antebellum

Bella's POV

I went home and thought about what Alice told me. Those little things would let me see for myself that he was not interested. I decided to put it to the test. I'd wear my yellow dress and let my long hair down. I always wore it up but not the next day; I was going to flirt, for the first time in years. I fell asleep quickly after I ate dinner.

I had set my alarm to go off a little earlier to give myself some extra time.

I needed to look perfect.

I was out the door in no time. As I got in the elevator, my heart sped up. I knew he'd already be here, he was always here. I tried to get myself under control as the elevator doors opened. Stepping out I saw him. His eyes bugged, and his mouth was agape. I had to giggle to myself as I walked by him.

When Alice came in she praised me for taking her advice and I told her what had happened that morning. I still had to break the news to him that I might be leaving. There was no good time to tell him, but I definitely was not going to tell him that day. I wanted to enjoy his presence and little looks as long as I could. I decide to go to his office and thank him for all of his work on my program a few months ago. They had just launched it and it was working perfectly. I had to give him credit, without him I'd still be stuck on it.

I went into his office and he was nowhere to be found. So I decided to leave him a note on his desk. As I bent over the desk to reach for his pad to write on I heard him behind me.

"Hi Bella, what can I do for you?"

I turned, gasped and blushed. Smooth Bella, really smooth.

"Oh, I was going to leave you a note. I wanted to thank you again for all the help you gave me on my program. They called and said it had been launched and was working perfectly. I could not have done it without you," I said, honestly looking into his deep eyes.

He blinked and said, "You're most welcome, anytime you need me I am here for you."

What? He's making me crazy... I can smell his cologne from here... Damn, he smells absolutely mouth watering... ugh... God! I want him right here and now.

"Bella," "Jasper," we said, together and laughed.

"Ladies first," he said, causing me to blush again. He was always such a gentleman.

"I just wanted you to know that I really enjoy working with you," I said.

"I feel the same way Bella. I think we all make a good team. I would be nothing without you and Alice. I swear," he stated firmly.

I smiled at him, said my goodbyes and went back to my desk. My heart was fluttering and I couldn't stop the guilty feelings. Alice was at her desk when I walked over to her, and started crying. She jumped up and grabbed my shoulders.

"What's was wrong, sweetie?"

"I... really... don't... want... to... leave... here," I gasped between sobs. "This is where I belong and Jasper's making me crazy. I saw it in his eyes, he feels something, I think. I just wish he'd act on it. My heart aches every time we are close and he doesn't say anything about how he feels."

Alice pushed me away from her embrace and looked into my eyes. "You know you could always make the first move, this is the 21st century."

I was so flustered and caught off guard by what she said that I didn't know how to respond. I just stared at her. "I can't," I whispered as I turned and sat at my desk. I kept myself busy all day and avoided Jasper and Alice when I could. I just needed to think. I needed to figure out what in the hell I was doing to myself.

Alice's POV

I have to say something to him. I want her to be happy but I don't want to force the issue. Maybe I could... hmmm... I know I could send them both an anonymous email... no they'd both trace it back to me. Damn computer geniuses. I know I will just talk to him face to face after Bella leaves tonight. He always leaves after we do. Yes! That's exactly what I'll do.

I waited until Bella had gone before going and knocking on Jasper's office door.

"Hey, can I talk to you about... something important?" I asked.

"Sure, come in and shut the door," he said, smiling.

"Jasper, I need to tell you something, but I'm not sure how to tell you," I blurted out.

He looked at me, confusion written all over his face.

"Just tell me. I am sure it's not as bad as you think," he said.

Hell.

"I think, no I know, I don't exactly know how to say this...."

"Alice," he said, sounding anxious as he sat on the desk in front of me.

I looked at him as I said, "Bella is thinking of leaving the company, she can't take the tension around here and she has the hots for you and she's scared to say anything, because you may not feel the same way and she is making herself crazy. I see how you look at her and I know you feel the same about her. You need to get your ass in gear and make a move before we all lose her forever. She has already gotten another job offer she will take it if you don't show her you feel the same way, and I mean pronto!"

I had to take a deep breath and steady myself before I could continue. "I am sorry to spring this on you but she's scared to approach the matter and frankly I am disappointed that you've not been man enough to show or tell her how you feel. You two are making me crazy."

Jasper looked to be in shock, his jaw dropped, his eyes were wide and he had to shake his head before he started to talk again.

Jasper's POV

The day started off like any other. There were a few computer issues to work on before the advertising department could get things up and running so I was running around in a tizzy. I heard the elevator doors open, I looked at my watch. It was still early and I wasn't expecting anyone to be here yet, I turned to see who it was. When Bella stepped out of the elevator my jaw hit the floor, and I dropped the papers I had in my hands. I managed to steady myself long enough to say good morning to her as she walked by my office.

Damn, Damn, Damn... I can't believe how good she looks. I could just throw her on the desk and fuck her until she passes out. Walk up to her and do it, dumb ass!! No be patient. She's so damn beautiful, she has no idea!

I went back to working and trying to concentrate on the tasks at hand. The day went smoothly until Alice came in to talk with me. To say I was shocked would be an understatement.

Is she really is considering leaving? She does like me in more than a friendship way, what in the hell have I been doing? Am I a glutton for punishment? I can't lose her as a friend or a coworker. But what can I do? Okay get your head out of your ass Cullen.

"Alice, what can I do to make her stay? I don't want her to go anywhere. Not only is she a great person but she is also a great worker. I really do have feelings for her but I was scared she would reject me. I thought she'd be into the brawny jock type, I definitely do not fit in that group," I said grasping at straws.

Alice just looked at me, shaking her head. "You know, for a smart guy you sure are a dumb ass," she said, frankly.

There was no hint of a joke in her tone or her face. I was floored. I looked at her and said, "Excuse Me?"

"You heard me. Bella is not just some small town hick cheerleader who only likes jocks. She's just not a typical gal. She likes you for a number of reasons, she's told me so. I know for sure you are her type," she barked.

I could tell she was getting upset and I knew she was serious. "Okay, what can I do? How can I show her how I feel and not let her know you had to come in and slap some sense into me, so to speak?" I asked.

She smiled at me and said, "Finally. I will tell you a few things I know she likes and you'll have to be creative and come up with your own surprises. We will have to work quickly, though. She told the other company she had to give a two weeks' notice."

I looked at her, realizing now that must have been what Bella came in here to tell me."Why didn't she tell me that?"

"She saw your reaction to her 'new' look today and did not want to spoil your day," she said.

"Oh," was all I could say. I sat there lost in my thoughts. How could I not let her know she was what I wanted?

"Tell me what to do first."

"Well, any girl loves getting flowers, so maybe you could bring some in and leave them on her desk, with a note. She loves daisies. Yellow is her favorite color, so maybe you could find some yellow daisies somewhere? She likes to walk in the park, during lunch. It kinda reminds her of home; maybe you could ask her out to lunch and take her to the park. Um, maybe you could write her a little note, something sweet and heartfelt. Tell her how you feel. It will be a start anyway," she rushed out.

God, what am I getting myself into? I shook off those thought and made a mental note of what I needed to do. I could not lose her.

"Don't fret; I'll help out as much as possible. I know you'll be great together. Oh, I almost forgot, make sure your hair is loose and still a little wet when you get here in the morning," she said.

I nodded not knowing why as she giggled and walked out of the office. I sat at my desk for a while lost in my thoughts and trying to make sure I did not screw this up. I had never really been in a relationship before so it was definitely new territory.

When I left the office, I picked up dinner and went by the corner store. I found the perfect card and a bundle of yellow daisies. How lucky am I? I will take that as a sign. I got home, put the flowers in a glass vase, ate dinner and relaxed. I stared at the card, trying to think of what I needed to say. I didn't want to have word diarrhea but I wanted her know I was serious. I'll think on it and go with what hits me in the morning.

When the alarm went off I sat up and knew exactly what I need to say to her. I went to the kitchen, pulled out the card and started to write. I closed the card, sealed the envelope and went on to take my shower. I was nervous more now than I was yesterday. I managed to get fed, showered, dressed and get to work on time, even with my extra activity this morning.

I made my way to the girls' office and placed the flowers on Bella's desk with the card standing up in front of the vase. I was glad I'd be gone most of the day to meetings outside of the building. I was internally struggling with the guilt I felt for not saying something earlier.

I could have saved myself and poor Bella a lot of grief if I'd just said something, how was I to know she felt the same way? Alice was right I am a dumb ass! Ugh! Well I truly hope this makes her know she's someone special to me, even though I hadn't said anything earlier. Will she turn me down now, on principle, since I waited so long?

Crap. Am I doing the right thing? What else can I do?

I let my mind wander on those thoughts until I got my first meeting. After that I was in complete work mode. Learning new technologies and such is not easy to do anyway. I had to turn my brain on auto pilot to make sure I didn't miss anything. These were those long and tedious meetings, every IT person hated. They throw so much at you that it makes you want to scream. There would be a lot of things we'd have to cover in the morning meeting tomorrow.

Alice's POV

I beat Bella to the office this morning and was delighted to see flowers on her desk when I came in. Jasper had listened to me and I couldn't wait 'till Bella showed up. Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God, this is fantastic. She's going to have a coronary... giggle....Oh I can't wait to see the look on her face.

As I got settled, I noticed a folder Jasper left on my desk that contained the things he needed us to do for him today. When I opened the folder, a thank you note was on the top, written on a piece of his office stationary;

Alice,

Thanks for giving me the kick in the ass I needed. You are a great friend to me and Bella. I can't wait to see if this ends up the way I hope it does. Thanks again, you're a doll.

Jasper

After my giggle fit, I took the note and stuck it in my bag. I sorted out our tasks for today while I waited for Bella. Since we had different strengths I wasn't sure what she and I needed to do. I laid them out across my desk and waited.

I can't wait, I want to run down to the parking garage and grab her and tell her the worries she had are gone.

I did not see her enter the office but I heard her gasp when she saw the flowers on her desk. I looked around the divider wall and smiled at her. I totally love this shit!

"Good Morning, Bella. It looks like you have had a delivery, open it I want to see who it's from," I said, giggling to myself.

She was beaming; I don't think I had ever seen her smile so much. She leaned over and smelled the flowers and picked up the card and slowly opened it. I watched as she read through the card a second time. I was getting antsy; I wanted to know what it said. I was all but bouncing around. Bella's eyes got a little misty and she was speechless, her mouth gaped a few times but she said nothing. The anticipation was killing me. I walked around the desk, grabbing her arm before I spoke.

"What does it say?" I asked. Bella still was at a loss for words so she handed me the card.

Bella's POV

This was the biggest surprise to get first thing in the morning. I walked over to my desk and I heard Alice talking but all I was focused on was the flowers sitting on my desk. So many questions started to run through my head... Who were they from? What were they for? Why me?

I slowly opened the card and I was lost... this had to be a joke. I read it again a second time, slower making sure I took each word in....　

My dearest Bella,

I know I've been a little over the top at times and not thanked you for all you do to help me. I do appreciate you. You're a fantastic person. You make my days brighter and my job a lot easier. I would be nowhere without you. I hope you can find it in you to give me a chance to show you how much you mean to me. I may not show it all the time but I really do like you, in more ways than a friend should.

I can't wait 'til I see you in the morning and I'm sad when you leave in the evenings. I wish I could spend all my days and all my nights with you. You are the best co worker a person could have and an even better friend. I know this is the most unorthodox way to do this but I am asking, no, begging you to give me a chance and let me take you to dinner. I will make all the reservations and hope you say yes.

The place will be a surprise but please meet me in front of my office at 6pm today and give me a chance to show you how much you mean to me.

Thank you for being you,

XoXo Jasper

I was so lost in my thoughts that until she touched my arm, I had forgotten Alice was even in the office.

"What does it say?" she asked. I was in shock; I couldn't speak so I handed the card to her as I fought back tears of joy.

Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God, this is fantastic, this is... oh, there are just not enough words, Alice was right. What can I wear tonight, he's seen everything...Oh I will have to go to Macy's at lunch today...I need something special.

"I am happy for you," she said, hugging me. "Now, we have to find you something a little special to wear for tonight. You and I have a lunch date with Macy's, okay? There will be no arguing with me," she said sternly looking at me. I nodded in agreement.

We settled ourselves down and went thru the work Jasper had left us and got started. The day was going by super fast and at lunch time we made our way to Macy's.

I had no luck as I searched but Alice found a yellow cocktail dress with white lace and matching shoes and clutch for me to try on. I had worn pearls today, so I wouldn't need jewelry. Alice said they'd look magnificent with my outfit.

As we got through the checkout line she looked at me and said, "That boy's not gonna know what hit him."

Alice and I giggled and made our way back to work.

THE SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT I MEANTIONED

Okay myself, Jaspers Sex Kitten, Cullen818 and JaspersIzzy have decided to contribute to the Support Stacie Author Auction. It is a cause we all support and will be putting ourselves up for auction in the hopes we can help raise money for this awesome cause. Each of us has decided to do something a little different, so below you will find what we individually have to offer for the auction. If you have any questions, please contact us at or by our personal accounts on Fan Fiction or Fan .
You can visit our blog(s) for more information or go to the website below and also my hompage.

http://jasperandemmetthotline(dot)blogspot(dot)com or http://darksper(dot)blogspot(dot)com

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Chapter Notes: Now it will be next weekend before Chapter 3 is out and ready!! WoOt..... If you love it/hate it, let me know hit the pretty green button :)