“I’ve never known you to drink more than one Manhattan. I sense there’s trouble in paradise.”
Chase shrugged as if what he was about to say was of little consequence. “If you must know, Maisy dumped me.”
In sympathy, Astrid placed her hand on his forearm. “What happened?”
“She doesn’t see it working for us.” That was the crux of the problem.
“Why not?” she asked, seeming unwilling to let it go at that.
“Her family was in a financial jam. I stayed out of it, although I wanted to help more than anything. I didn’t, but she refuses to believe it. I realize now that that was all a convenient excuse to be done with me.” Drowning his sorrows in alcohol wasn’t the best solution, either. The thought of heading back to his condo to another empty night was more than he could bear. The club felt like a doable alternative.
“How’s it going with that guy from New Zealand?” he asked, eager to turn the subject away from the situation with Maisy.
Astrid’s face glowed with happiness. “Phillip and I talk every day now, and it’s been wonderful. He flew in last week to meet my parents. I know it’s too soon to say we’re in love, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone. He’s crazy about me, and I feel the same way about him.”
Chase understood better than she knew. This was the way he’d felt after he met Maisy. It was as if she’d brought light into his world. The strength of their attraction was beyond anything he’d experienced.
“I’m sorry you and Maisy are struggling. When we were last together you were happy. Don’t let your differences stand in the way. Don’t give up on Maisy or let her go.”
Chase wished it were that easy. Maisy was determined to put him entirely out of her life.
She seemed to read the doubt in him. “Chase, I know you. I’ve never seen you walk away from something important you care about. Do what is necessary to make it right with her.”
“She blocked me,” he admitted, wishing he knew what he could say or do to change Maisy’s mind, and came up blank. “She wants nothing more to do with me.”
Astrid seemed to find that humous. “A closed door has never stood in your way before, Chase Furst.”
—
The following morning, Chase’s head pounded from a hangover. He didn’t usually have more than one stiff drink, and he deeply regretted that second Manhattan. Astrid’s words lingered in his mind. He needed to find a way back to Maisy.
When he stopped for coffee, the barista automatically doubled his order. He added egg bites for Guy and then headed toward the office.
Guy was waiting for Chase just inside the alley, as he did every morning. He silently accepted the coffee and nodded his appreciation. Chase hadn’t stayed long enough to chat for the last couple of weeks. No time. As it was, he was usually the one who initiated their conversations. It was a rare occasion for Guy to speak first.
Chase was about to turn away when Guy stopped him. “You gonna settle matters with your girl?” he demanded.
Surprise caused Chase to turn back around. He hadn’t said one word to Guy about him and Maisy.
“Who told you Maisy and I are on the outs?” he asked.
“No one.” Guy returned with a huff. “Anyone looking at you could tell you aren’t yourself. I don’t give advice, but I’ll make an exception in your case. Fix it.” Having had his say, Guy returned to the alley and his tent.
Chapter Thirty
Maisy hadn’t slept well since her last confrontation with Chase. She simply tossed and turned for hours before exhaustion set in. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was Chase. She missed their nightly conversations, the updates on his small acts of kindness, his details about working to gain Guy’s trust. When she did manage to fall asleep, she was restless and woke after only an hour or two. Neither her heart nor her head seemed willing to let go of him, despite her continual efforts.
Again and again, her mind reviewed their last conversation. How ill-tempered he’d been. She knew he regretted the things he said, and yet every word was the truth.
Because the sale of Gallagher Jewels included all the remaining inventory, the store had closed until the new owners took possession. Maisy knew she should be on a job search, but she didn’t have the heart for it. Not yet. In a few weeksshe’d be returning to school, thanks to the provision Chase had provided.
It would have been far more honest to own up to what he’d done rather than hide behind some fake scholarship. It was how he’d helped Laura, so it shouldn’t have come as any surprise for him to finagle one for her. It was ridiculous to believe Maisy wouldn’t see through his ploy. At first, she’d considered refusing it, which would have been stupid on her part. She couldn’t let pride take away this amazing opportunity. Becoming a nurse had been her dream from the time she’d been a young girl. She would always be grateful to Chase for giving her the means to make that dream a reality. Her one wish was that he’d been honest about what he’d done.
After yet another sleepless night, Maisy wandered down the stairs to find her mother busy in the kitchen. She eyed Maisy sympathetically. All the worry about Sean’s truck, the store, and Gram’s medical bills had been resolved, thanks to Chase. Her mother looked far more relaxed these days.
His generosity showed how deeply he cared, which enhanced the pain of their separation. His intentions were good. What he didn’t understand were the consequences of what he’d done, how it changed the very fabric of their relationship—plus, it forced her to own up to several factors that made a relationship impossible. Distance and family being major concerns. Her family needed her.
More good news had followed. Recently, her mother had been offered a full-time teaching position with the Seattle school district as a fifth-grade teacher. Full-time employment would start in August.
