The Ivy House - By Drea Stein Page 0,87

is over. She did what she was supposed to, and whether she stays or goes has nothing to do with you.”

“She’s staying?” Hope filled him.

“Yeah, but not because of you. In spite of you. It’s all over the TV now—all the entertainment shows are replaying all these programs on Savannah and Leland. Phoebe’s all over the place, the poor little Hollywood girl. She never wanted anyone’s pity, you know.”

“I know. Listen, Lynn, I didn’t leak the story. At least not on purpose.”

“Fine, I believe you, and I bet she does too.”

“Then, what’s the problem?” Chase could hear the frustration in his own voice.

Lynn rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to tell her, you big dummy. Tell her how you feel.”

Chase tried to tamp down his impatience. Lynn was obviously buzzing and he needed her to focus.

“Where is she?”

“Who, what? Oh, she went to go talk to Dean. About the job offer. Down at the hotel.”

Chase felt his stomach flip. No way he trusted that guy. Sure, Phoebe had said he was a true-blue friend, but Chase had a feeling there was more to the story, at least on Dean’s side.

Chapter 45

“Couldn’t we go someplace more private?” Dean took her arm and tried to guide her away from the dock.

She took a deep bracing breath of air and decided. It was almost fully dark now, and the lights along the dock were coming on, one by one. Music from the Osprey Arms’ outdoor terrace drifted over, and the air was warm, a hint of summer to come.

“This is fine.” All of a sudden, Phoebe didn’t feel like being in a more private place with Dean. Public was good enough for her.

“I need to say I think you’re making a big mistake.” Dean stepped up to her and pulled her up to him, his light eyes searching hers.

“He’s not good enough for you, Phoebe. I’m the one who was there for you. I want you to share everything with me. With your name and talent and my help, there’s no saying where you could go.”

He lowered his lips to hers and pulled her in tight. He tried to kiss her, but Phoebe jerked back, putting a hand out against Dean’s chest, holding him off.

“I know you did it,” she said. “You leaked the story about the collaboration with Serena. Is it even true? Does she want to work with me?” Anger crept into her voice.

His hazel eyes were confused. “But you’re making a mistake. He’s not good enough for you, and all of that romance-of-the-century stuff was complete crap. He can’t love you, not the way I do.”

“As opposed to what you’re doing?” Phoebe said coldly.

“Phoebe, please.” Dean pulled her close again and she knew he was going for another kiss. His eyes were intent, serious, but the look in them quickly turned to surprise when he fell back. All of a sudden, the dock was crowded.

“Chase, don’t.” Phoebe was too late.

Chase had already spun Dean around. “Get your hands off my girl!”

“Your girl…” Dean turned back to look at Phoebe. “See, Phoebe, I had to save you from yourself. Is this why you’re giving up the opportunity of a lifetime. For this buffoon?”

“What did you call me?” Chase’s eyes narrowed.

“Phoebe, I am so sorry.” Lynn followed closely behind Chase. “He wanted to know where you were.”

Phoebe looked around. Chase and Dean were squaring off against each other, both of them in some sort of fighting stance. She swallowed hard. Dean worked out quite a bit at the gym and was a black belt in karate. But Chase had the more muscular build, like that of a street fighter.

“I can’t believe you think you can step in and ruin her life. She’s throwing it all away.”

“What are you saying, I’m not good enough for her?” Chase’s voice was dangerously low. “Do you think you’re better for her than me? How dare you try to get between us?”

Phoebe felt the tension rise. She was about to step in between the two of them. She wasn’t sure who said what or who went for the other first, but she saw Chase’s arm shoot out and Dean staggered back, into Phoebe. She teetered, started to lose her balance, and reached out to grab one of the pilings to steady herself.

“Oh, no,” she heard Lynn say, and then Phoebe felt herself falling, heading for the murky waters of Queensbay Harbor.

It was cold, Phoebe thought, as she hit the water and began sinking. The shock had her hesitating