The Ivy House

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 a moment before she was ready to kick herself back up to the top. All of a sudden, there was something around her waist, pulling her up, up towards the fading light of the surface.

“Are you crazy?” Chase yelled when they hit the surface. Phoebe gasped in breaths of air, unable to answer. The water was cold and she was shivering. A crowd had gathered and there were flashlights being shone their way.

“Come this way, there’s a ladder,” someone called. Phoebe coughed, realizing she had swallowed more salty water than she had thought. Chase’s arm was still around her as he towed her against the current and towards the walkway.

Strong hands lifted her up. Phoebe looked around. Dean was sitting, holding his nose, while Lynn hovered over him. Someone had a first aid kit and she had broken out an ice pack. She glanced up, gave the thumbs-up sign.

Phoebe felt Chase’s presence behind her. “Does someone have a blanket?” he called out and, in a moment, she felt something draped over her. The police were there and so were the paramedics.

“I’m fine. I’m fine.” Phoebe waved them away.

Everyone was looking at her, at them. “I can swim, you know.” She pulled the blanket more tightly around her and started walking off the dock.

Lynn stood up, but she waved her away. Phoebe stopped in front of Dean, who looked up at her, an ice pack on his nose.

“Dean, I’m really not going back to California. I don’t want the job and I don’t want you. And that has nothing to do with him.” She nodded towards Chase. “I’m staying to pursue my business. And you and me, we’re done.”

Dean stood up. A lock of his blond hair fell across his eye, and he tried his best to work his charm as he stuck out his hand. “It’s my loss. But good luck, I guess. When you change your mind…”

She ignored his outstretched hand. “I’ll know who not to call.” And with that she kept walking.