Page 46 of Phillip

“We’ll be there in about an hour,” the pilot said.

Her eyes widened, and she twisted to Phillip. “Where are we going?”

“For ice cream.”

“I know, but—”

He directed her toward the window. They journeyed over the shore, following King Harbor’s beaches.

“This is absolutely amazing,” she whispered.

A life-is-good grin hitched on his face, and an urge to snuggle with him tightened in her chest. She wanted to be close. Her skin tingled, and she prayed that his mouth would brush against her forehead and linger. Ashley wanted nothing more than to curl into his arms, to just be. But even if they weren’t buckled in, after pulling from him more than once, she wasn’t sure of making that move.

Phillip rubbed her arm, and she listened to him extrapolate on King Harbor’s history and the slow-changing topography. She soaked in every detail. He’d done all of this for her.

***

After more than an hour had passed, Phillip could sense that they would soon arrive at their final destination. Disappointment flooded him as the helicopter descended. He’d talked endlessly until Ashley snuggled against him, and then he’d simply breathed her in. Now they would be forced to separate, and he squeezed her close one last time.

Phillip hadn’t fully appreciated what winning her back would mean. When he did have her back, he would never want to lose her again. When they were together before, he’d relished the way she could comfort his racing mind, how she’d balanced his search for reckless fun with her sensible, pragmatic style.

Thinking back on their short time together, he saw the importance of connection, of family.

Spending time with her had clearly gone beyond work and righting an old wound.Why the hell did I ever let this woman leave without a fight?

Youth wasn’t a good excuse. Maybe he was just dumb… or scared.

Hell, he was still scared. He’d let no one become that close to him for fear that they would be another person to lose. She had left. Not in the same way as his parents, but he worried she could always leave again.

The pilot interrupted his thoughts, announcing it was safe to disembark.

“Where to now?” Ashley stayed close by his side as they exited the helicopter and followed along a path.

He pulled her under his arm, directing them from the private airstrip to where a waiting car should be. “Time for ice cream.”

She beamed as he guided her around a corner lined with high hedges. A dark SUV became visible, waiting at the curb of the private airstrip.

“Did I ever tell you I wasn’t the most patient person?” Ashley grabbed his elbow and dragged him toward the SUV. Her laughter rang light and carefree, matching the way her bright eyes danced.

The chauffeur secured them in the back seat, and they sat close, their legs brushing together. Phillip angled against the door, and Ashley peered out the window. Her honeysuckle-scented loose hair dangled over her face as she searched for clues.

They drove for only a few minutes before she gasped quietly. “Oh my…” Then Ashley rolled her window down. “Are you serious?”

The larger-than-life sign for Bliss ice cream matched the over-the-top brand with the funky flavors and cult following.

Ashley twisted to face him. “You brought me to Bliss?”

He chuckled and shrugged. “I guess so.”

Wordlessly, she shook her head then clasped his cheeks in her palms. The quick, personal touch made his blood burn as his gaze shifted toward the front gates that the SUV turned into.

“This is the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me.” Her fingers drifted softly over his cheeks until the tips lingered along his jawline before falling away.

“I’m glad you’re surprised.”

“Surprise is an understatement.”

They slowed at the front of a colorful corporate entrance, and the driver stepped out.

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