Page 70 of Phillip

Sean seemed to grasp where the line of appropriateness was drawn. He continued. “But it needs to be said. I was either interested in gratification, or…”

“A business merger,” Ashley supplied without parting her teeth.

Sean nodded. “To be perfectly up-front, yes.” Then he turned his focus to Phillip, adding, “Of which, you gave me neither.”

“Good thing,” Mary Beth mumbled.

Sean turned from Phillip to Ashley. “I’m not doing a good job of explaining myself. But you have to understand that I didn’t come to Ashley with false intentions. I was operating with bad information.”

“From my mother?” Ashley asked.

“Yes. But truthfully, I don’t think she understands you,” Sean gently offered.

“That would be an understatement,” Phillip muttered.

Ashley jerked away.

“Ashley, look. I speak her language,” Sean said. “In her own way, your mother is trying.” He pulled an easier breath as though this was something he understood. “Not all people see relationships the same way. My point in this whole explanation is that I’m sorry for stepping into this situation when I had no business being here.” He turned back to Phillip. “Even now, I think that you’re one hell of a lucky man.” Sean extended his hand, waiting for Phillip’s move.

In that moment, Phillip saw how different things could have gone. He could have punched Sean at Montgomery’s, proving to Ashley that emotions dictated his behavior. Besides embarrassing the Blackthorne name again, he would’ve missed out on a scorching-hot makeup session.

And Phillip remained in control with Sean, without her to run interference. Understanding and apologies had come about. He shook Sean’s hand, then they said their goodbyes. As the other man walked out, Phillip pulled Ashley under his arm and into his chest.

“I have someplace else to be.” Mary Beth followed Sean out.

Phillip breathed Ashley in. If he could make it through the car show, while winning his woman and watching the auction of his beloved car without losing his mind, Phillip was certain that nothing would ruin their love. Except…

His stomach sank. Ashley hadn’t been privy to the discussionhe’dhad with her mother. Given what they’d learned today, he wasn’t sure if she should ever know.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Despite the unexpected personal drama, Ashley breezed through the last-minute items on her to-do list. Gift bags had been stuffed. Tables were ready for vendors to arrive at dawn. She’d checked and rechecked her list. “I’m so excited for tomorrow.”

“Yup.” Phillip tapped a pen on the desk as he stared at what looked like the same pile of papers that held his attention for the last twenty minutes.

“That sounded convincing.”

His shoulders bunched. “I am.”

If she didn’t know that even the smallest details for their event were handled, she would’ve guessed a problem loomed. “Is everything okay?”

His pen tapped faster. “Uh-huh.”

She moved and peeked over his shoulder and read the description given to the auctioneer for the Ferrari 330 GT. “Is that on your mind?”

Phillip took a look as though he hadn’t realized what was in front of him. “No.” He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “But I’ll admit, the closer tomorrow comes, the heavier this loss feels.”

Her forehead bunched. “I thought you didn’t like that car.”

He pursed his lips. “Not exactly.”

She sat on the edge of the desk. “Then what?”

His stormy expression furrowed. “It was the last gift my dad gave me.”

“Oh…”

“He enjoyed working on his favorite cars, and I think it was supposed to be a shared hobby. Something to keep me out of trouble, I guess.” His lips thinned. “It didn’t work.”

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