The Ivy House

chapter 44

Chase kept pounding on the door. Finally, he heard footsteps and when it opened, he almost barreled in, but stopped.

“Where is she?” he demanded.

“Hello to you too,” Lynn said. She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, not her scrubs, and her hair was in a messy ponytail. He could hear the sound of the TV in the background, and he saw a flash of the screen and almost did a double take until he realized that it was Savannah and Leland on the big screen and not Phoebe and himself.

“Lynn?”

“She had to meet someone. You really upset her, you know. How could you? You know that’s the one thing she hates, being used because of who she is.”

“I wasn’t using her,” he said, the panic rising. “Where is she? Who is she meeting?” he demanded again, dread hitting him hard.

“Why is that any of your business? She said your deal 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.