The Ivy House

chapter 15

It took Chase another beer before he worked out just why Phoebe had walked out on him. When he did, he hooted in laughter and slapped the bar top so hard Paulie looked over at him. Chase waved him away and continued to eat his steak. Phoebe Ryan had thought he was coming on to her, not trying to make a business proposition. And she’d been offended.

An interesting reaction, Chase thought, as he speared a piece of asparagus. The steak, potatoes, and asparagus were decent here, but not the best. Since he’d bought out his dad’s share of the marina last year, he’d focused on upgrading the docks and was only just now turning his attention to the hotel and restaurant. It might be time this place got a little spiffed up.

Still, he wasn’t used to women saying no to him. For the most part, when he beckoned, even if it was with a crook of his finger, they came running. True, most of them hadn’t engaged his interest for long, and none of them had half the mystique of Phoebe Ryan, who seemed to have inherited her grandmother’s trick of appearing both aloof and alluring at the same time.

He speared a thick-cut steak fry as he watched the home-team batter knock out a home run. Phoebe Ryan had another thing coming if she thought she could get rid of him so easily. Chase wanted her talent, and now, dammit, if he didn’t want Phoebe Ryan along with it.