Read Online Take Me Now by Faith Sullivan - Free Book Online

ask myself if that’s not exactly what I’m doing. Am I trying to rekindle something that’s long gone? Can I find happiness again with someone else? It’s nice to paint a cozy picture in my mind of coming home after a hard day’s work and finding Ivy there waiting for me. After enduring so much heartache and tragedy, it’d be comforting to know that there’s a happy ending somewhere out there for me. I just have to go get it.
    Laying a hand against the cold stone, I caress the image of Cassidy’s face. I’ll never let her go, not completely. She’ll always be a part of me, but it’s time to move on. I have someone worth fighting for in the here and now. I can’t stay chained to the memories of my past. I have to break free and claim some bit of happiness for myself. It’s what she’d want me to do. After all we’ve gone through together, I owe it to her to gather my courage and try again.
    “Wish me luck, Cassidy.” I tap the tombstone in good measure before walking away. Life took so much from the two of us. It’s about time I started trying to get some of it back. And if Ivy will have me, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that beautiful smile never leaves her face.

Chapter Seven Ivy
    Nervous butterflies fill my stomach as my car crawls along the bumpy path leading to Eric’s house. At the last minute, he left a message on my extension, asking if I could meet him here instead of the garden center. The switch in venue is a tad perplexing, especially since he requested that the focus of the interview remain on his business and not on him. But I’m willing to oblige. I’m still mortified that he saw Will and me kissing. I don’t know why it’s bothering me so much. I should be leaping for joy that I finally got what I’d been dreaming of instead I feel numb, empty even, like I kissed my prince but he remained a toad.
    I hit the brakes, even though I’m only going ten miles per hour, when I catch a glimpse of Shep running in front of my car. I place a hand over my rapidly beating heart to steady its rhythm. I nearly killed Eric’s dog—not my idea on how to begin what is sure to be a strained meeting between the two of us. Sure, he destroyed my best pair of shoes, but I still love the furry guy.
    As the house comes into view, my jaw is literally in my lap. It’s gorgeous. The landscaping alone is enough to take one’s breath away. There’s a manmade waterfall leading up the embankment to the front porch with a tiny pond filled with lily pads and exotic flowers. The knotty pine paneling gives the whole place a welcoming vibe. It makes me want to leap out of my car and run inside to explore every nook and cranny. All of the details are perfect, from the stone chimney to the stained glass window in the front door. Nestled against the forest, it’s like something out of a fairy tale.
    I’m so taken with the house that I forget to take my foot off the brake and I sit idling in the driveway. Eric must have been watching for me through the window because it’s not long before the door opens and he comes out to greet me. Shep goes back inside and I’m left alone to face the master of the house.
    My anxiety level increases as I turn off the ignition and step out of the car. I purposely dressed down for the interview, thinking we’d be strolling through his greenhouse, getting our hands dirty among the flowerbeds. So I’m a little taken aback when he emerges wearing a freshly ironed pair of khaki pants and a button down shirt. I’ve never seen him like this, and I pause to drink in his appearance. I’m used to him rugged and casual but boy, does he clean up well.
    “Shep’s disappointed you didn’t bring him another pair of heels to chew on, but I like your choice of footwear much better.” He gives me a wink when he notices I’m wearing the clogs he gave me. I thought it’d be a nice touch but now it seems more intimate than I intended, especially being alone with him in this