Chase wanted to see Maisy again. Admitting this to Sean wasn’t going to go down well, though. “I’m infrequently in Seattle.” This was the truth.
Sean nodded, as though pleased with this information. “Good.”
“And if I did continue to date Maisy, would you object?” Chase asked, thinking it was best to see the lay of the land…
“Yes.” Sean’s answer was direct and emphatic. “Not that I have anything against you per se. And obviously Maisy is a grown woman who can make her own decisions.”
“Then what is it?”
“Listen,” Sean said, his tone conciliatory. “Like I said, you seem like a nice enough guy, but surely you can see that you two have absolutely nothing in common.”
“As a matter of fact, I don’t,” Chase argued, unable to hide the attraction he felt toward Maisy. “Your sister is one of the most generous, caring women I have ever met.” In their few brief encounters, she’d managed to rattle his world.
“My point exactly,” Sean was quick to snap. “Maisy is far too sheltered for a man of the world like you.”
“I told you earlier I’d never purposely hurt your sister,” Chase said, hoping to reassure Sean.
A brief silence followed as Sean considered his response. “I’d like to believe that. However, the way I see it, hurting Maisy would be inevitable.”
“I disagree…”
“You’re a wealthy man, that car and driver say as much, and the fact you don’t need to worry about getting back to the airport at a certain time. Why is that?”
“I flew in on the company jet.”
With this news, Sean arched his thick brows. “A private jet. That tells me everything I need to know. As far as I’m concerned, it would be best if you forget ever seeing Maisy again.”
“Now, wait a minute—”
Chase wasn’t allowed to finish, as the front door opened and Maisy stepped onto the porch. Her eyes narrowed as she fiercely looked at her brother. “What’s going on out here?” she demanded.
“We’re talking,” Chase explained, when it didn’t appear that Sean was keen to answer.
“This entire conversation is about me, it seems,” she said, her gaze skipping from one man to the other.
Chase remained silent, letting Sean explain himself, since he was the one with the problem.
“Chase and I are clearing the air,” Sean said. “It’s really none of your concern.”
Maisy’s reaction was immediate. With her hands braced against her hips, she straightened her spine and with a raised voice insisted, “Seeing that you’re discussing me, it’s very much my concern.”
Her words were filled with irritation and challenge.
Sean raised his arms as though surrendering. “There’s no need to get upset. Chase and I are coming to an understanding, is all.”
“Understanding of what?” she insisted.
Sean cast a look at Chase and then shrugged, clearly unwilling to dig himself into a deeper hole. “Certain things.”
Maisy rolled her eyes. “Listen, Sean. Who I see or don’t see is frankly none of your business.” She turned her back to Chase as she squared off against her brother.
Sean looked chagrined, although he continued to stand his ground. “I don’t view it that way.”
“I don’t care how you view anything. I take it as a personalinsult to me and to Chase that you would embarrass us both. You know nothing—”
“Now, Maisy—” Sean interrupted, as Maisy was building up steam with each word.
“Don’t Maisy me—” she flared back, and was about to speak her mind further when Sean broke in.
