The Ivy House

chapter 29

Dinner was surprisingly normal. They’d pulled into the Masters’ house and Chase took a beer from Lynn’s father. The two men sat on the back deck overlooking the water, talking boats and sports.

Phoebe had run up to her room to change and freshen up, trying desperately to get the “I’ve just had the most amazing sex of my life” look off her. Her lips were swollen and her cheeks reddened from where his stubble had roughened them, and when she looked in the mirror, all she could think about was them, naked and twisting.

She splashed water on her face, changed into a sundress, sandals, and a sweater and ran down to help in the kitchen. Lynn shot her a look and there was a knowing smile on Mrs. Masters’ lips, but neither one of them said anything as they brought drinks and appetizers outside.

The Randalls had arrived by then. Noah was almost as tall as Chase, but with light brown hair. Caitlyn gave Phoebe a hug, explaining to Noah that they had run into each other in town. She was wearing a sundress and Phoebe could see that she was glowing, whether from her condition or the way Noah’s gaze lingered over her, she couldn’t tell.

Chase introduced them and Phoebe could feel Noah appraising her with his eyes, while one arm held his wife close. Apparently, she passed because he smiled and shook her hand easily. The sun was setting, turning the water into liquid gold, and a light wind rustled the tall trees in the Masters’ yard. It was a great view and Lynn had snuck in and changed the playlist on the radio to something fun and upbeat.

Chase made room for Phoebe to sit next to him and she did. His arm lay casually across the back of the settee as they made conversation.

“So,” Caitlyn said, sipping a club soda, “how are you enjoying our little town of Queensbay?”

Chase’s knee brushed against her, and Phoebe had to fight to keep her attention on Caitlyn. “It’s very relaxing,” she answered.

“Glad to hear it. Chase said you’ve started work on the house. How is that going?” Phoebe nodded. “Yes, that’s the plan, at least.” Phoebe wasn’t quite sure what else to say, since she didn’t know what she planned to do with it.

“Hey, Phoebe,” Lynn said, sitting on the arm of one of the wicker couches, “the clinic is running a kid fair soon to raise money. Think you could run the art booth for them, you know, since you’re creative and all that?”

“It’s for a great cause,” Caitlyn said, her hand unconsciously rubbing her belly. “Noah’s agreed to be in the dunk tank.”

“That I’ve got to see,” Chase said, punching his old friend’s arm.

“Only if we take turns,” Noah said.

“Hey, Chase, maybe North Coast Outfitters could donate some things, to use as raffle prizes? It is for a good cause.” Lynn said hopefully.

“Lynn, you’re hopeless,” her mother said, as she passed around a plate of hors d’oeuvres, but Phoebe could tell she wasn’t upset by her daughter’s forthright comment.

Chase laughed. “Well, if Phoebe’s in for being creative, I suppose I’m in for some dough. Just don’t make me finger-paint.” There was the general sound of laughter, and Dr. Masters reappeared with fresh beers for the guys and more white wine for Lynn and Phoebe.

Phoebe caught the look that had passed between Caitlyn and Lynn, plus Caitlyn’s knowing wink, and knew that one of the goals of the dinner had been to get her and Chase to agree to help out with the fair. She guessed that Lynn knew it wouldn’t hurt to have the granddaughter of Savannah Ryan running a booth. The girl was relentless when it came to protecting and guarding her clinic, she had to give her that. At least it was for a cause Phoebe could get behind.

The rest of the evening passed quickly, with steaks and salad eaten al fresco, laughter, and good conversation. Noah and Chase even told a few stories from their days at school, which had even Dr. Masters roaring with laughter. Phoebe felt alive, a warm glow suffusing her, from the good food and the company.

She saw the way Lynn’s parents looked at each other with affection and the way Noah was overly solicitous of Caitlyn and her comfort. There was no fiery passion here, just warmth and love. For a moment, Phoebe’s heart constricted and she knew this was what she wanted, more evenings like this, sitting out by the water, surrounded by friends and family.

She hazarded a glance at Chase, saw him laughing at something his friend said and wondered if he could ever want the same thing. He wasn’t a settling-down type and was cynical about love. Would he want to be sitting with her here, a year from now, hanging out on Ivy House’s own terrace, listening to music, laughing with friends, or would she already be old news to him, another one in his long string of flings? Though he had made it sound like he wasn’t as bad as everyone thought.

He caught her looking at him, and he flashed the smile, the one that made her toes curl and her stomach clench. She held his gaze and she could feel herself frown, the sadness growing on her face. Before she could dwell on that anymore, Lynn pulled her into a movie trivia game against her mother and Caitlyn.

“That was awesome,” Lynn said at the end of the game. Phoebe had won hands down, easily beating Lynn’s mother, who was shaking her head in disbelief.

“I’ve never beaten her,” Lynn said. “Not once.”

Caitlyn laughed, but Phoebe could see that she looked tired. Noah wandered over at that moment.

“I think it’s time I took my wife home.” Noah thanked the Masters and then turned to Chase. “You heading back to the village?”

“Yes, in a moment,” he said. He too thanked the Masters, told Lynn to give him a call about the kid’s fair, and then turned to Phoebe. They stood awkwardly. She was aware that everyone seemed to have drifted off to give them some privacy, but Phoebe kept her distance.

“I had a nice time,” she said, her voice even. He looked at her, a strange smile playing on his lips. He glanced over her shoulder and then took a step towards her. When she began to move back, he pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his for a hot kiss. He broke away and whispered in her ear, “I feel like a teenager saying good night to my prom date.”

His head gestured and Phoebe turned. Mrs. Masters was hovering, her motherly instincts kicking into overdrive.

“Not at my prom,” Phoebe whispered. “I was eighteen and a legal adult and no one cared what I did or who I did it with.”

“Does that mean you’ll come back to my boat with me?” Chase asked.

Phoebe took a step back, remembering what she had felt earlier. She and Chase had an undeniable attraction, which they had officially satisfied. And that was it. It had to be. They couldn’t possibly want the same things. She had to be careful here; otherwise, she would get hurt.

“Not tonight,” Phoebe said.

“You’re sure you don’t want to see where this takes us?” Chase said, his look smoldering into her.

Phoebe jerked her head in the direction of the Masters’ house.

Chase glanced over her shoulder and Phoebe could all but feel Mrs. Masters’ concerned gaze boring into her. “Perhaps tonight is not the best night for it.” He agreed, and she felt a rush of disappointment.

“I could always sneak out after they’ve gone to bed,” she said as she leaned up into him, “…come meet you.”

“Tempting as that may be, I don’t think you’ll get far. Until next time?”

His lips brushed quickly and fiercely against hers and he was gone, disappearing into the dark of the night, towards the street, his car, and the short drive to the marina.