Take Me Now (5 page)
I’m not sorry I made a move on Ivy. I’m just sorry we got caught. She has stepped away from me, and I can see that she’s visibly trembling. She’s afraid of Lauren and I don’t like it. I hate the idea of Lauren having any type of power over Ivy. I have to fix this.
My body is still not over what was happening between us. I uncomfortably adjust my pants as I proceed to the top of the steps to tell Lauren she has to leave. But she’s already beaten me to it, as she stands before us on the porch, not even bothering to look at Ivy. Her full attention is on me.
“There you are.” Lauren reaches up and glides the tie through the collar of my shirt before I realize what she’s doing. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by.” She continues forming a knot. “This color is amazing on you. It really brings out your eyes.” She secures the tie under my chin and lingers with her hands resting on my shoulders. “Let’s say we go inside, huh?”
Ivy appears traumatized from being forced to stand and watch her boss effectively ace her out of the picture. I need to speak up but I don’t want to say the wrong thing and cost Ivy her job. Lauren is extremely volatile and Ivy will have to deal with the fallout if I’m not careful in the way I handle this.
But before I have a chance to say anything, Ivy bolts from the porch and runs to her car. Instinctively, I make a move to go after her but Lauren’s hands push against my chest, holding me in place. This can’t be happening. We were so close to the beginning of something really good and Lauren is destroying any connection I was establishing with Ivy in one fell swoop.
“Ivy!” I call out but it’s too late. She’s already behind the wheel with the engine running. She shoots me a tortured glance before tearing out of the driveway in a cloud of dust. I’ve lost her. Even if I’m able to call her later, she’s never going to forgive me for refusing to go after her. Everything hinges on what I do next.
“Let her go, Eric,” Lauren commands, turning her back on the dramatic exit of her intern. “I realize you’re a guy and you were just having some fun with her. We all need to blow off some steam every once in a while. We’re all human, right?”
Just the way she’s insinuating that I’m taking advantage of a girl in order to satisfy myself makes me want to get in my truck and leave Lauren standing there for all I care. That’s not what was going on between us. I wasn’t using her for my own satisfaction. I was trying to show her how much I’m getting caught up in her.
“But if you think about pursuing her, I have to tell you, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” There’s a malicious glint in her eyes as she tugs on the lapel of my tie.
“And why’s that, Lauren?” I have to feel her out, see how far she’s willing to go.
“Because I hold that girl’s future in my hands. You wouldn’t want to see her get hurt, would you?” She smiles up at me, and I want nothing more than to shove her away from me. “My stepbrother’s practically in love with her and I can’t stand by and let you break his little heart now, can I?”
What is she talking about? Her stepbrother? How many boys is Ivy fooling around with? Whatever hope I was kindling in my heart for some kind of rebirth starts to extinguish. Maybe Ivy isn’t the girl I thought she was.
“You see, they’ve known each other their whole lives. He has a whole stack of letters from her over the years that he has saved in his dresser drawer. They always spend their birthdays together.” These details are killing me and she knows it. She’s taking pleasure in ripping through my heart. “There’s a significant bond there. Similar to what you had with Cassidy, I think.”
She couldn’t hurt me any deeper if she tried. This woman is sadistic. It’s like she’s toying with me for her own amusement. She can’t have me so she’s going to destroy me for anyone else. I can’t stand here and listen to this. After coming so far, I feel like my world is crashing in on me all over again.
“Lauren, I think it’s time for you to leave. You’ve done enough damage for one day.” I take her wrists in my hands, forcing her to loosen her grip on me. “For all I know, Ivy may very well be in love with your stepbrother, but don’t even think about taking her job away from her.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Eric.” She leans back on her heels appraising my emotional discomfort. “She’s far too valuable to me, I assure you. I intend to keep her close to me so I can keep an eye on all of her clandestine activities. I heard from Will Clark that he had quite a romantic lunch with her this afternoon.”
Visions of Ivy kissing Will flood through my head. The sheer torment Lauren is inflicting on me is unbearable. Why is she so intent on making me suffer? What did I ever do to her to warrant such a hostile reaction to kissing one of her interns? She can’t possibly have feelings for me. She doesn’t know what it means to truly care for someone. She’s nothing but a vicious manipulator.
“I’m sick of listening to your innuendos about Ivy’s supposed promiscuity, Lauren. She has more decency than you’ll ever have, that’s for sure.” She raises her arm, and for a minute I think she’s going to strike me, but she regains her composure, slowly lowering her clenched fist to her side.
“You’re making a terrible mistake, Eric Young. We could have been really good together. We’re closer in age. We’re two rising stars in the business community. It was a match made in heaven until you had to go and ruin it.” She sashays off the porch in a huff. “But don’t think you’re getting out of taking me to the opening gala. Everyone is expecting to see us there together as co-sponsors, and there’s no way in hell I’m going to let you embarrass me by showing up with that little tramp.”
Something snaps inside me at hearing her insult Ivy like that. I storm down the steps but she’s already in her car. Rolling down her window, she gives me a wave, leaving me standing there. She thinks she has the upper hand but I refuse to let her win. I’m going to find out what’s really going on between Ivy and all of these guys and take it from there. If I’m not what she’s looking for, I’ll have to deal with it. I can’t force her to be with me if she’s already with somebody else.
I don’t go back to the office. There’s no way I can face Lauren right now. I feel so beat up inside. My thoughts are a confused jumble. I sigh at the impossibility of ever making sense of what occurred today. Will kissed me. Eric kissed me. And Lauren nearly fired me. It sounds simple but it’s oh so complicated.
Slouching up the dorm steps, I pause at the entrance to the third floor, trying to hold back my tears. There’s hardly anyone living here over the summer but I don’t want anybody to see what a total wreck I am at the moment. I might be a schmuck when it comes to love but I still have my pride.
The hallway is pretty dark as a late day thunderstorm hovers on the horizon. My room is down the opposite end of the corridor, meaning I’ll have to pass by my friend Sophie, who is sitting with her back against her open door, eating a microwavable pretzel, and listening to some boy band on her phone. I’m not in the mood to keep her company but she’s already seen me so there’s no turning back.
I push my sadness beneath the surface and put a fake smile on my face. She doesn’t smile back, meaning my charade is not the least bit convincing. Her irritation turns to sympathy the closer I get to her. She must be able to sense the impending doom literally rolling off my shoulders.
“Girl, what happened to you?” Her eyes sweep over me in concern but it just makes me want to break down and cry. Sophie is usually unstable and I’m the one propping her up. I’m not liking this role reversal. I just want everything to go back to normal. I don’t understand anything about this mixed-up universe I somehow wandered into. Why can’t any aspect of my life make sense?
“My boss caught me making out with the guy she likes on his front porch and I’m not sure if I’m fired or not.” The shock value of my statement alone is enough to make Sophie jump to her feet.
“What? You haven’t had, like, any action for the three years I’ve known you, and you had to pick the guy your boss likes to hook up with? Are you nuts?” Her running commentary isn’t making me feel any better. It’s only accentuating the mess I find myself in. A little pep talk would be nice instead of being slammed for my transgressions.
“So if she pulls the plug on my internship, I might as well say goodbye to transferring to the main campus in the fall. I’ve taken all of the credits I can here. I’ll be stuck in some kind of college limbo for the rest of my academic life.” I slump against the wall as thunder rumbles through the building. At least the rain held off until I made it inside. There’s nothing worse than being miserable and soaking wet.
“It’s like a double jeopardy situation, right? If you don’t complete the internship, you can’t stay here because you’ve taken all of the available classes in your major and the ones you have left are only held on the main campus?” Her convoluted speech actually makes sense so I simply nod my head in agreement. I’m stuck in no man’s land if Lauren decides to seek her revenge on me for locking lips with Eric.
“But how was the kiss? Was it worth it?” Sophie bestows on me a wicked grin, and I can’t help but blush as I remember what it was like having Eric’s hands on me. I’ve never experienced anything like it. There was so much unhindered feeling behind every caress, every touch. It’s like he wanted to commit every inch of body to memory, as if I were something precious he wanted to treasure. He wasn’t indulging in me for his own enjoyment. It was more like he wanted me to know how tenderly he cared about me. No one has ever made me feel that way before. It was life altering.
But he stayed by Lauren’s side. He didn’t follow me. And in my mind, that makes him no better than Will. Neither of them will go the extra mile to prove that their feelings for me are genuine. I’m not important enough to them. Will always puts himself first and Eric apparently chose Lauren over me. It doesn’t exactly feel good to come to the realization that you’re not number one in anyone’s life.
“It appears it meant nothing to him because he’s with my boss right now and not me. That about says it all, right?” Raindrops slowly make their descent down the windowpane and I observe their fall. They’re mimicking the tears my body yearns to shed but can’t release.
“Not necessarily. Did you check your phone?” Sophie stretches and I catch sight of a bellybutton ring as her shirt rides up, baring her midriff.
“He doesn’t have my number and I checked my extension at work. There were no messages.” I shake my head, trying to clear any thoughts about what he might be doing with Lauren that would leave him too busy to even leave me a thirty-second voice mail to see if I made it home okay. I was so emotional when I left but he doesn’t seem to be that worried about me.
“I’m sorry, Ivy. I really am.” Sophie extends her hand and gives my arm a gentle squeeze. “Not to change the subject, but what do you think of my new body piercing?” She looks at me expectantly, like she hopes I’ll say it’s the coolest thing ever.
“When did you get that?” Despite all of my problems, I am curious. Sophie’s such a wild child that there’s sure to be a whopper of a story behind it.
“Today.” She fiddles with the silver hoop in her navel. “You know how I’m doing that internship down at the museum? Well, I’ve been flashing one of the curators since I started and…”
“Wait. Hold up. What do you mean by flashing?” I raise my eyebrows in concern.
“Like showing him my tits. Don’t give me that look, Ivy. It’s all done in fun. It gets so boring there. I have to liven things up or I’ll go insane.” She crosses her arms acting like I’m the one with normalcy issues.
“So how old is this guy?” I’m almost afraid to hear the answer.
“He’s forty-five and married but he says he hates his wife. And trust me, I’m not looking to hook up with him or anything. That’d be gross. He just helps me pass the time, and when he offered to pay for my bellybutton ring if I let him watch when they did it, I was like, ‘Hell yeah.’” Sophie’s moral compass is so skewed that, at this point, I don’t think any rational argument against her bad decisions will even register with her.
“I hope you know what you’re doing. You could be playing with fire.” I can’t help but warn her anyway.
“You’re one to talk. Look at you getting all up on your boss’s man. At least no one is pawing up my hotness unless I want them to.” She eyes me disdainfully while waving her finger in my face.
“But I did want him to.” The admission of guilt is out before I can stop it. Shit. I did want Eric—so bad that I didn’t care if he was cheating on Lauren or not. I wanted him all to myself. I reveled in what I was doing to him and what he was doing to me. And it didn’t bother me that Lauren might be getting hurt in the process.
“Well then, it appears we’re two different people then. Listen, I gotta bail. I’ll catch you later or something.” And without a backward glance, she closes her door decorated with multi-colored condom wrappers spelling her name. I’m left out in the hallway alone with only the rain as my confidant.
I repeatedly tried calling Ivy’s extension at the
Gazette
but her voice was removed from the outgoing message. I panicked that Lauren might have gone back on her word and let her go, but her name is in today’s paper under her byline. She’s still writing even if Lauren is monitoring all of her phone calls to keep me from getting to her. Ivy’s probably furious and doesn’t want to talk to me anyway. It’s been nearly a week since I let her drive away. I wouldn’t blame her if she never wants to see me again.
But I need answers and I’m not going to be satisfied until I get them. The gala is Friday night and I have a lot of ground to make up between now and then. But first off, I have to find out if Ivy’s still going. And as much as I hate doing it, I’m going to have to track Will down and get information that he doesn’t want to divulge. For some strange reason, my intuition is telling me he’s in cahoots with Lauren against Ivy but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe if I pin him down on some of the facts, he won’t be able to cover up anything. I don’t trust those shifty eyes of his.
It’s not even eight thirty in the morning and already the sun is blazing hot. I finish watering the remaining marigolds and petunias we have for sale and place the ‘be back soon’ sign in the window with the clock hands pointing at nine thirty. I don’t want to miss out on any customers but this can’t be helped. I need to start thwarting Lauren’s attempts to destroy my relationship with Ivy. It may be hanging on by a thread but I have to at least salvage whatever’s left of it. If she felt a fraction of what I experienced while kissing her on my lap, then she can’t walk away from me that easily. There’s something there between us and I dare her to try and deny it.
I whistle for Shep and he comes running out of the greenhouse, no doubt chasing the birds that love to hang out in there. He saunters up to me, wagging his tail as I open the truck door for him. Checking to make sure his paws aren’t muddy, I hoist him into the cab as he takes his place in the passenger seat. We must look like a comical duo riding side by side, but today we’re on a mission. Shep’s antics brought Ivy into my life, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he can serve as my good luck charm to win her back.
The wind is blowing through my hair as I roll the window all the way down. I turn on the radio from the button on the steering wheel and it’s already set to my favorite country music station. There’s a sappy love ballad playing and for a second I imagine it’s Ivy sitting beside me and not Shep. It’s strange to imagine another woman in my life. I’ve been alone for so long now, and before that, the only other woman I pictured next to me was Cassidy. I never thought I’d make it to this place again of starting over and having feelings for somebody else.
I barrel into town well above the speed limit so I purposely slow down when I see the marquee of the theater. Will is outside on a ladder affixing letters to the sign announcing the start of the gala. I have to admit that the boy is competition. I can see why Ivy might be into him. He’s everything I’m not. Handsome. Exciting. Dangerous. There’s an edge to him that I’ll never have, and some girls fall all over that. I didn’t think Ivy was the type to get swept away on looks and bravado but I bet he’s a pretty smooth talker, thinking he can get any girl he wants. Well, I’ll be damned if I’m going to let him have her.
“How ya doing, Will?” I put more friendliness into my voice than I’m feeling, but he didn’t see me coming, and I have the pleasure of startling him. He sways a bit on the ladder before setting the last letter in place.
“Just fine, and yourself?” He’s wary as he descends. No doubt he’s trying to figure out what I’m doing here and if it has something to do with Ivy. I decide to jump in, feet first.
“I heard you’re escorting Ivy to the gala. Is that true?” It kills me to have to ask, especially when he sees where this conversation is headed. He thinks he’s already won. But here’s a word of advice—never count out Eric Young.
“Now why would you be asking me something like that?” He’s going to milk this for all it’s worth. He enjoys having me beg. But I’m willing to swallow my pride if it means bringing Ivy back into my arms.
“Curious, that’s all. You see, Ivy and Lauren are sort of on the outs, and man to man, I’m trying to get a heads up as to what to expect. If they’re both going to be there, I’d like to keep Lauren on the other side of the room.” It’s a flat-out lie, but let’s see if he calls me on it.
“Then I think you better ask Lauren and leave me out of it.” He grins at me and I’m nearly blinded by his startlingly white teeth.
“That’s funny. I normally would but you know how women are. If they’re in a catfight, the last thing they want to hear is the other one’s name mentioned.” I’m backpedaling furiously. He can’t clam up now. I have to find out if Ivy’s going to be there.
“Or if it’s that important to you, why don’t you call Ivy yourself and straighten it out?” He secures the ladder under his arm and starts to walk away from me. His attitude is anything but cooperative and it’s making me see red.
“Man, why do you gotta be such a dick, huh? All I wanna know is if you’re bringing Ivy or not. End of story.” My anger flares up and I can’t contain it. If he insists on being a prick, I’m going to let him have it.
“Yeah, I’m bringing her, and I’ll be leaving with her too, if you get my drift. She’s been in love with me since we were kids. I hate to break it to you, man, but you don’t stand a chance.” He smirks at me and I completely lose it. Hurling myself at him, I pin him against the wall of the theater as the ladder clatters to the ground.
“You better watch yourself, big shot. She’s way too good for a scumbag like you. I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing with her, but I refuse to stand by and let you use her. She deserves better than that.” I loosen my grip on his throat and he shoves me away, gasping for breath.
“She’ll never love you the way she loves me. I’m the standard by which she measures all other guys. She’s never even dated anyone her entire life because she’s so hung up on me. Go on and tell yourself that she’s interested in you, but I know she’ll always come running back to me.” He spits onto the pavement between us and I feel like slamming him back into the wall. It’s hard but I resist the impulse. People are beginning to wander out of the bank and the post office to stare at us. The last thing either of us need is to be the source of bad publicity for the festival, especially when gossip spreads like wildfire in a town like this. He’ll be returning to California soon and I’ll have to stay and deal with the consequences. I let my temper get the best of me but I got the information I wanted. Now it’s time to be the bigger man and walk away.
“And even if you do end up getting Ivy into your bed when I leave, it’ll be my face she’ll see when she gets off, not yours.” That remark causes me to halt mid-stride as he snickers behind me. I bend my head and keep going, but he continues to taunt me. “I practically gave her an orgasm when I kissed her the other day. She’s so hot for me, it’s pathetic.”
I despise guys who trash talk women behind their backs. But to hear Ivy’s name mentioned in such a foul way makes me want to turn around and rip his head off. It takes every ounce of restraint I possess to keep walking. He’s trying to goad me into an all out brawl on the street. He knows I’d probably win but the damage to my reputation would be irreparable—the fiancé of the pregnant cancer victim who assaulted the poor innocent Hollywood playboy. Yeah, he’d be sure to spin it to his advantage. I have no doubt.
Getting back behind the wheel, Shep whines sympathetically. He can feel the frustration I’m giving off. The sooner I get out of this town, the better. I turn off Main Street and retreat along the desolate country road. My thoughts start to wander back to what Will said. How many childhood sweethearts does Ivy have? First, there’s Lauren’s stepbrother, and now she grew up with Will too? I can’t keep track of all these guys who are after her. Leave it to me to fall for the one girl where I’m running dead last in winning her heart.
That’s it. I’m settling this once and for all. No more hedging the issue. I’m going right to the source. Into the lion’s den, if that’s what it takes. The tires squeal as I do a U-turn before roaring out of town.
***
I don’t even stop to think as I charge up the stairs into the
Gazette
’s office, leaving Shep alone in the truck. I have one goal in mind: seeing Ivy. I have no idea where her desk is located as I rush by a cluster of computers in the front room. The graphic designers eye me up like I’m crazy. Yeah, I’m sweaty from the ride over, but I remembered to throw on the jacket I had in the back of the cab. I certainly didn’t rush in here in nothing but my white sleeveless t-shirt. The receptionist is calling after me but I proceed down the hallway. I’m almost to the door of Lauren’s office, a place I’d rather avoid, when the restroom door opens and Ivy steps out.
“Eric?” She seems surprised to see me before checking to see if the coast is clear. “What are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to you.” The look I give her must be making her uncomfortable because she bites her lip and glances away. She’s giving off a mixture of nerves and disappointment. I’m having a hard time reading her.
“In here.” She grabs me by the arm and hustles me into an empty room, shutting the door behind her. “Eric, we can’t do this. If Lauren catches you in here with me, it’s all over. She already told me to stay away from you.” She’s about to remove herself from my life and I refuse to let her.
“Ivy…” I need to level with her. She needs to hear what I have to say. “Please…” I reach for her but I’m constricted by this stupid jacket. I take it off and move closer to her. She trembles beneath my touch as I lightly stroke her face with my finger. Her eyes close and I let my hand get lost in her hair. Getting bolder, I lower my arm to her waist, pulling her against me. She’s still resisting me so I whisper again, this time directly next to her ear, “Ivy…please…”
But instead of responding to my entreaties, she pushes me away. I stagger backward but manage to reach for her hand. And then she does something I don’t expect. She raises my hand to her lips, kissing every knuckle in turn. She’s pleading with me to let her go. I should have known better. I’m not the one she wants.
I release my grip and her hand lands on my chest, right over my heart. She pauses a moment, letting its rhythmic beat travel through her fingertips. It’s then that she starts to cry. This time she shoves me harder, venting her frustration. I stand there, dejected. I can’t believe I was so wrong about all of this.
Tears are beginning to form behind my eyes as well, so I turn away from her. I choke back my emotions. If this is what she wants, I have to respect her decision. I won’t force myself on her. Squaring my shoulders, I move forward until my fingers grip the doorknob. I hear her bump up against the table as she sniffles, so I wait. Maybe she doesn’t really mean it. Maybe she’s going to call me back. But she doesn’t.
Instead, she’s crying as if her heart will break and it’s eating me up inside. It’s more than I can take. If I mean nothing to her, why is she acting like this? Why is she sending me away? It doesn’t make any sense.
All I know is that I have to get out of here. She doesn’t want my comfort. She wants me gone. So I won’t torture her with my presence. Turning the knob, I step back into the hallway, slamming the door behind me.
“Who did that?” It’s Lauren’s demanding voice, coming from her office. “I want to know who’s responsible…” She drones on and on, but I can’t focus on anything she’s saying. Somehow I’ve lost Ivy. Maybe I never even had her to begin with.
