For the Love of Ivy - Cindy Kirk Page 0,58

where she wanted to settle. Not where her father thought was best, but a place that would feed her soul as well as allow her to best utilize all her skills.

Being in Sweet River had made her realize that for her, “success” wasn’t tenure at an Ivy League college or a list of publications in a scholarly journal. It was doing what she loved—teaching and counseling— while surrounded by people she loved.

In that respect, Sweet River would be a perfect place to settle. Her friends were here. She’d already started to build a practice. With the boom in Internet educational offerings, there might even be the possibility of teaching some online courses.

There was only one problem—Seth. While it was going to be hard to move away, Lauren knew it would be harder to stay. Seeing him, wanting him and knowing he could never be hers would be pure torture.

No, she had to leave. After she received her PhD she would look for another small town, one where she could feel part of a community. Where she could make friends and start to build a life. A life without Seth and Ivy.

Lauren was still lost in thought when she heard a light tapping followed by the front door creaking open. She blinked back the tears and hurried down the stairs, ready to set her friend straight. Stacie’s priority right now should be Josh. She could do her own packing, thank you very much.

She turned the corner with the words poised on her lips and skidded to a stop. “Seth. What are you doing here?”

Her gaze lingered on his face. On the strong masculine features. On the laugh lines and the worry lines. On the eyes that reflected honesty and integrity. A deep sorrow rose inside her. She couldn’t imagine ever loving another man as much as she loved him.

“You can’t leave me,” he said.

The desperation and pain in his voice told her she wasn’t the only one suffering. The knowledge gave her little solace. She didn’t want Seth or Ivy to hurt because of her.

Not trusting herself to speak, she just shrugged.

He took a step closer. “I love you.”

The sweet words were a balm to her aching heart. She would try to remember this moment on cold winter nights when she was alone and missing him.

He stared, an expectant look on his face.

“I love you, too,” she admitted.

“Thank you, God.” He moved close and pulled her to him. “Don’t leave, Lauren. Stay with me. Please.”

Lauren let herself return his hug, but only for a moment. Then she stepped back, untangling herself from his arms. “I can’t, Seth. You know that as well as I do.”

“I don’t know any such thing,” he said with a fierceness that took her breath away. “We belong together. I love you. You love me.”

“That fact changes nothing.” He was too honorable a man to break his promise, and she loved him too much to ask. “I can’t stay and just be your friend.”

“Who said anything about friends?” He grabbed her hands, and when she tried to pull away, his grip tightened. “I love you, Lauren. More than I thought possible. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, loving you, cherishing you, making you happy. I want—”

“Stop.” Lauren jerked back her hands, thankful the rising anger kept her tears at bay. “Why are you doing this? You have to know how much it hurts to think of being apart from you and Ivy. But you made a vow to Jan. Us being together isn’t an option.”

“But—”

“I think it’s best if you leave.”

His feet remained firmly planted and a look she couldn’t quite decipher filled his eyes. “Please, Lauren. Give me five minutes. That’s all I’m asking.”

The pleading in his voice was nearly her undoing. She cleared her throat and nodded. “Five minutes.”

Lauren led him to the parlor and perched on the edge of the sofa, expecting him to settle himself in the chair. Instead, he dropped beside her. With a resigned sigh she shifted to face him, inhaling the tantalizing scent of his cologne, reminding herself that what wouldn’t kill her would make her stronger.

“This is so important....” Seth blew out a breath and raked a hand through his hair. “I’m not as good with words as you are, so please bear with me.”

His voice shook. Seth was the most confident guy she knew. To see him so unsure and stressed tugged at her heartstrings.

“It’s okay,” she said in a soft whisper. “Take