“What are you doing here, Ivy?” He looks me over, appraising my appearance.
“I’m here on business. And you?” I desperately try to stand my ground even though I’m rattled. I can’t let him see how much he gets to me. But man, the boy looks good. I’m a sucker for falling under the spell of his brown eyes. I better keep my wits about me. Those eyes are dangerous.
Will studies me before responding and I can’t help remembering the music class we had together our freshmen year of high school. He always tried to make me laugh and I’d try my hardest not to. Not because I didn’t think he was funny, but because he’d lose interest in me and turn his attention to Danielle, the slutty cheerleader sitting behind him who gave nearly every guy on the basketball team a blow job. Yeah, I couldn’t compete with that.
“I’m revamping the film festival while I’m home on break from UCLA. I thought it’d be a great little summer project to keep me occupied.” I heard that he went to film school in California but I never expected to find him in this practically off-the-grid theater. Why would he waste his time here when he could be doing so many more important things in Hollywood? Something doesn’t sound right. His story doesn’t ring true when it comes to the Will I know.
“Yeah, seeing how there’s only one screen they’re going to need all the help they can get.” I can’t resist zinging him. A flash of anger smolders in his eyes, and I’m glad I hit my target. He thinks he can intimidate me but he’s wrong. I’m not that timid girl anymore.
“You’d be surprised how difficult it can be to purchase the rights to the latest independent films from Sundance and Cannes. You have to know the right people. Distribution can be very expensive.” He’s talking down to me like I’m a child. Really? But my anger starts to evaporate as he strides over to where I’m cemented in place. His presence unnerves me on so many levels. He’s the first boy I ever fell in love with, and it still stings that he never thought I was good enough for him. I think I’ve always been seeking his approval whether I realized it or not. It’s one of those deep-seated issues that never really go away.
“You’re looking good.” The compliment is out of my mouth before I can reign in my thoughts. The tight jeans he’s wearing are definitely from a designer label and his linen shirt is blindingly white. His dark hair is still cropped close, and while he was always lean, there’s a new definition to his shoulders and biceps that didn’t exist before. He must be working out at some exclusive gym, probably with a trainer who coaches celebrities. I wouldn’t be surprised.
He’s close enough to touch me but he doesn’t. The pull that’s drawing me to him is hard to resist. The scent of his sandalwood cologne is filling my senses. He’s not a boy anymore. He’s grown up into a full-bodied man. A man who’s probably an expert in knowing what it means to pleasure a woman. He was my first kiss after all. My thoughts betray me and I start to blush. He doesn’t comment. He only raises an eyebrow, a gesture I find provocative like an invitation to something more.
“We could have fun together this summer, you and I.” His gaze never wavers from my face. He’s observing every iota of my reaction to his proposal. The old me would have been insulted and walked away in a huff. But I know what it’s like not to have him in my life. I’ve missed him since he went away, not seeing him around. I had wondered what became of him and now I know. He’s hotter than ever.
“Yeah, we could do that.” I whisper, barely trusting my voice. His eyes glimmer like he’s scored an easy victory, and he probably has. I don’t put up much of a fight to get him to win me over. He knows how vulnerable I am to his charm. He’s been leading me on since I was ten years old. He knows what buttons to push. I’m just flattered that I’m finally the object of his pursuit.
“Good.” He immediately steps away from me. He’s like a hypnotist snapping me out of a trance. I blink a few times to reorient myself to my surroundings. He makes me feel things no one else does. That’s why I’ll never get over him. Maybe if he plays with my heart all summer, I’ll finally cure myself of this ridiculous hold he has over me.
“My boss said to tell you he doesn’t have a check for you yet. But you’ll do everything you can to hold the ad space for him, right?” He gives me that winning smile and I melt inside. He’s using me. It’s so obvious, but I like basking in his attention. It’s like he’s filling a hole in my heart that only he can fix. I’d do anything for him, and the sad part is he knows it.
“Yeah, sure,” I mutter incoherently as he hands me his phone.
“Give me your number.” He’s so demanding but I like it.
While my head is down, a long-legged brunette in a sundress saunters through the door. Will’s focus immediately veers in her direction. Absentmindedly, he pats me on the back and pockets his phone. “See you around, Ivy.”
He’s already deep in conversation with her when I stumble back through the storage room. I have to get out of here. He’s done it to me again, and I’m so sick of feeling like this about myself. I’ll never be good enough for him. That much is clear, but it still hurts. It’s a gnawing ache that never really subsides. It’s so familiar. I thought I was over him. I really did.
After kicking the door of my car, I throw myself behind the wheel and take off down the street, completely forgetting that I’m almost out of gas. I debate whether or not to turn around when I catch a glimpse of Will and that girl strolling down the sidewalk in my rearview mirror. No way am I going to let him see how much he’s upset me. I have one more errand to run at a garden center not far from here. I think I can get there and back without making a complete fool out of myself.
Chapter Two
Eric
The girl from the Gazette was supposed to pick up the photo disk forty-five minutes ago. I can’t wait around all day. I have to transfer the new shipment of fertilizer to the rear lot, but if I leave I’ll probably miss her. For the millionth time, I wish I could hire someone to man the front desk on a permanent basis, but for now, funds are tight. I have to scrape by the best I can until I’m able to earn back some of my initial investment on this place.
I catch a slight movement out of the corner of my eye and see the figure of a girl approaching the garden center on foot. She’s walking very slowly down the dirt road leading to the main gate. Something’s wrong.
The fastest way to get to her is over the grassy knoll at the back of the property. It’s a more direct route but she won’t see me coming until I’m right on top of her. I’m probably going to scare the crap out of her but it can’t be helped. She looks like she’s in some kind of trouble, like she might be injured. The quicker I can get to her, the better.
It’s a tad awkward jogging in my work boots with a tool belt strapped around my waist but it goes with the territory. I’m living my dream so I can’t complain. Well, maybe not everything’s the way I’d like it to be, but I’m running my own business—something I’ve wanted to do since before I can remember. I love being outdoors, and I learned everything I know about horticulture from Gram who won first place in the county fair every year for her rose bushes. Making my living off things that grow is in my blood.
Shep, my Old English Sheepdog, catches wind of my haste and trots alongside me. We bound over the hill, and within seconds we’re at the girl’s side. She’s carrying a pair of heels and limping. Shep, thinking her shoes are some kind of chew toy, hurtles his front paws onto her shoulders. Losing her balance, she starts to fall, but I’m able to slide my arm around her waist in the nick of time. The forward momentum sends her careening into me. Bracing myself, I scoop her into my arms. She drops one of her shoes and Shep runs away with it.
I haven’t held a woman in so long. She feels good pressed against my chest, wisps of her hair tickling my face. I should put her down but I’m caught up in the moment. Her green eyes dance with mine and she relaxes into my hold. The silk of her blouse molds itself to my hand, so utterly soft and inviting. Her face is flushed and her hair is coming undone, and I’ve never seen anyt
hing more beautiful.
Her chest rises and falls and I tear my eyes away from the glimpse of her camisole peeking through the buttons. She weighs next to nothing, and without even thinking, I start carrying her back to the garden center. I sense of déjà vu comes over me like I’ve done this a thousand times before, even though I don’t even know her name.
She doesn’t fight the sensation either. Gripping the front of my shirt in her fist, she eases into my embrace like she’s comfortable where she is. It’s not the reaction one usually has after being attacked by a strange dog but I’m fine with it.
If only I were open to the possibility of romance, but I’m not. There’s no way I can be. There are circumstances that can’t be wished away or ignored. My heart’s not ready—not yet. And while this absolutely gorgeous girl has wandered into my life, I’m not going to act on it. It’s too soon.
I stride into my shop, gently placing her on the counter. Her feet are bleeding and she looks like she could use a drink of water. She’s covered in dust from the road but she looks adorable sitting there. I don’t know what it’s like to be in a scenario like this with a girl. I’m used to things being straightforward and laid out before me. This looks like something I could get easily lost in if I’m not careful.
We still haven’t said a word to each other, and I hate to break the silence but it can’t be avoided. “Rest here a minute. I’ll be right back.”
Her hand lingers on my upper arm, her thumb massaging by bicep. I exhale heavily, trying desperately to clear my head. Her touch is stirring things inside me I haven’t experienced in quite some time. Emotions I never thought I’d feel again. “Thank you,” she whispers, her eyes never leaving mine.
“No problem,” I try to say as casually as possible. She’s looking at me like I’m her knight in shining armor and I don’t want her to get the wrong idea. I can’t go down that road again. I just can’t. My soul still isn’t fully healed from the last time. I can’t trust myself in these kinds of situations. I need to back away as gracefully as I can.
In my closet-turned-office, I rummage around for the first aid kit. After finding some Band-Aids, I run a strip of gauze under the faucet in the adjoining bathroom. Before exiting, I pop open the mini-fridge and extract a bottle of water. Thinking I have everything I need, I hurry back to her.
She’s leaning on her hands, taking it all in as she swings her legs from side to side. A breeze from the window rustles her hair and her sparkling eyes land on me. I’m caught in her gaze—trapped, even. I can’t look away. She is completely mesmerizing. There’s something so childlike and innocent about her, but at the same time she’s bewitchingly sexy, even if she doesn’t realize it. There is a wholesomeness to her. When the warmth of her smile lights up her face, it makes me feel comfortable just being around her. I could get addicted to her company. It wouldn’t take much.
“My name’s Ivy Thompson, by the way.” She extends her hand for me to shake. I hesitate because I have dirt caked under my fingernails but I don’t want to be rude. I lightly take her smooth palm with my callused hand. It feels so small and delicate, like the fluttering of a bird’s wing. Something I can easily break if I’m not careful.
“Eric Young,” I say, withdrawing my hand from hers. “This is my place.”
“Ah, so you’re the one I’m supposed to see.” She gasps as I dab the gauze across a nasty cut on her right foot. It must have hurt because she inadvertently spreads her legs wider, distracting me from what I was doing. She’s wearing a skirt, and her movement causes it to ride up a millimeter higher.
“You’re from the Gazette, huh? I’ve been waiting for nearly an hour. Where were you?” My intent is to be jovial but the words come out like a snarl. Being so physically close to her has me all worked up inside. I can barely see straight, never mind control my tone of voice.
“I’m sorry. I ran out of gas about a mile back. I had to walk the rest of the way.” She raises her foot just as I’m attempting to apply a Band-Aid. “And well, you see what happened.”
She’s playing it off like it’s no big deal. Maybe she’s not the slightest bit attracted to me and I’m blowing this way out of proportion. If it’s all one-sided, I don’t know if I’ll feel relieved or disappointed.
She twists off the cap on the water bottle and tilts her head back to take a drink. All I can think about is running a trail of kisses down her neck. She doesn’t stop until the bottle is empty. She doesn’t even come up for air. Breathless, she laughs, and I smile back at her. “Do you want another?”
“Nah, I’m good for now.” She’s getting a bit antsy being propped up on the counter. She begins to play with some of the seed packets I have on display next to the register. “I bet as the owner of Riverside Gardens you’re a fan of girls named after a type of vegetation.” She gives me a wink. It’s a lame joke but she still makes it sound funny. “No wonder you came charging to my rescue. That is until your dog bowled me over.”
Securing the last Band-Aid, I stand up with a chuckle. “So you know all about me, do you?” Her face clouds over, and I realize she is familiar with the details of my life. How could she not be? It was all over the news for a month straight. She’s not giving me that pitiful look most people do. Instead, her gaze is direct, like she’d like nothing more than to face the issue head on and get it over with.
“Yeah, and I’m sorry about Cassidy.” And just like that, she puts it out there. There’s no pretending she didn’t say it or skirting around the matter. But I can’t talk about my dead fiancée with a girl who had my pulse pounding a minute ago. It feels like I’m cheating on Cassidy when I’m not. I can’t betray her memory like that.
“Me too.” I want to drop the subject. Ivy doesn’t respond and I’m glad. I don’t want to delve into this with her. It only makes me realize how I’ll never have anything that’s not tainted by the loss of Cassidy. That bitter sadness creeps into everything. It’s inescapable. There’s no relief when every person associates me with her tragic end.
“I don’t want to take up any more of your time. I know you must be extremely busy. I’ll grab your disk and go.” She hops off the counter and grimaces as she lands on her feet.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” I cross my arms in front of my chest, laughing to myself.
“Like what?” She gingerly makes her way to the door, concentrating on where she is stepping.
“Your shoes, for one thing.” I retrieve one of the battered heels off the floor.
“Do you know where your dog ran off with the other one?” She gives me a hopeful look, like with that single gesture I can solve all of her problems. She’s untouched by tragedy. I’m not used to that.
“I’m afraid it’s a lost cause. Shep has probably thoroughly mauled it by now.” The indignation on her face is priceless. She’s speechless at the thought of not being reunited with her fancy footwear. “But I’ll tell you what. In order to make amends for my rascal of a dog, why don’t you pick out a pair of garden clogs from the selection in the corner? My treat.”
“Eric, I can’t go back to work in a pair of clogs. Lauren will kill me. I already went to my placement interview in flip-flops. I don’t need another black mark in her book. Have you seen the way she dresses?” She’s visibly distraught but not so much about her appearance as she is about courting her boss’s favor.
“I’ll be sure to call her up and explain what happened before you get back. You need something to put on your feet.” The last thing in the world I want to do is have a phone conversation with Lauren Price. She’s been pursuing me ever since Cassidy died, showing up at the garden center at odd hours under the pretext of securing ad copy or dropping off an invoice when it could have easily been done via email. There’s no valid reason for her driving a half hour into the country except to see me, and then when she gets here, I can’t get rid of her. One Friday night she stayed until eleven o’clock, refusing to take the hint that I sure as hell wasn’t interested in having her spend the ni
ght.
“Really? You’d do that for me?” Ivy’s surprised.
“Not a problem.” I cringe inwardly at the idea of hearing Lauren’s voice in my ear, but I quickly dismiss it as Ivy tries on nearly every pair of clogs that I’m selling. I could sit back and watch her all day.
“These are so comfortable, Eric. I love them.” She clomps around on the rubber soles, deciding on the ugliest utilitarian green color.
“There’s just one problem.” She waddles over to my side, and I can’t resist tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes widen, and I think my touch is affecting her in some way, but Shep barks as he runs by outside, interrupting the moment. I clear my throat before continuing. “We’re going to need to get you some gas. I’ve got some in my shed that I keep on hand for my tractor. It should be enough to get you back to the office.”
“I don’t know what I love more—you or these clogs.” She gives me a playful sort of shove and my heart contracts. I hope for her sake she never falls in love with me.
Chapter Three
Ivy
I’ve just collapsed behind my desk when the intercom on my phone lights up. I’m a sweaty, bedraggled mess, and I haven’t even had a second to catch my breath. I drove like a maniac but I was still late returning to the Gazette office. I knew Lauren would want to chew me out for my tardiness. It’s probably the highlight of her day to belittle the new intern into submission.
“Hello?” I pick up the receiver and bite the bullet.
“Get in here. Now.” Lauren’s voice sends a chill down my spine. Before I can answer her, she hangs up. I’m in for it and she hasn’t even seen what I have on my feet. Shuffling down the hall, I try to scope out if Ryan is around, but there’s no trace of him. I could really use a pep talk before entering the viper pit, but it’s not going to happen. I gather my courage and waltz into the room.
Take Me Now Page 2