Page 47 of Phillip

They were alone, only for a few seconds, as the driver took his time walking to the back door. But for now, it was just them, sitting together. Her mouth hovered close, his to take. They’d been in this position more than once in the days before, and each time he thought he would kiss her, she pulled away. He needed her to want his mouth like he did hers, unable to turn away.

The door opened. The bright sun and warm summer flooded the back seat, and Ashley jerked away. But Phillip remained still. If he’d kissed her, would she have pulled back like that? He didn’t know.

Ashley fumbled for her purse. Her chin ducked, hiding her face and expression under a thick curtain of silky hair before she held her bag in her lap like a shield. “Are you ready?”

Her words were too perky, too rushed. Her smile was too broad and begged for him to ignore the previous moment.

Good thing he hadn’t kissed her yet. But he would. He waited an extra second before answering, making sure she knew he saw through her walls, then said, “I’m ready, but I’ll wait until you are too.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Ashley had never been terrified of a kiss. She had a list of reasons to keep Phillip at arm’s reach. But now it was the devastating possibility of an unexpected future that kept her away. She couldn’t let them be hurt like she’d done before. Still, she didn’t stop Phillip when he took her hand.

The morning sun warmed them as they ascended the front stairs of Bliss, and they fell into another world. The sugar-scented air greeted them. The brightly colored reception area reminded her of the brilliant ice cream packaging. Senses buzzed with the anticipation of their day. “This place is…”

Phillip rested his hand on the small of her back. “It’s nuts.”

She had been searching for a more eloquent word, but his description fit. “Nuts works.”

“We’re glad you think so.”

They turned toward the voice behind them. A woman about their age, who wore jeans and a loose cotton Bliss T-shirt greeted them. “It’s nice to see you again, Phillip.”

He took her outstretched hand, and they shook. “Likewise.”

“I know you’re busy, and I always said that when you had a good reason, you would make time for a private tour.” The woman turned to Ashley as Phillip made introductions. Her name was Miranda, and she clasped Ashley’s hand with both of hers for a handshake. “It’s nice to meet Phillip’s good reason.”

Ashley blushed. “Oh, well, we’re here for work. We’re celebrating.”

“Work or not, Phillip has never asked for a tour.” Miranda walked across the open waiting room and pointed to accolades framed on the walls. One in particular caught Ashley’s attention, and she closed the distance to see an article fromPeoplemagazine. On it, Miranda and Phillip held a large check made out to the name of his nonprofit. A very substantial figure was the focal point of the image. “I lost my parents when I was young, too,” Miranda said. “I’m a big believer in the work that Phillip does.”

He shifted, uncomfortably, and politely interrupted. “Ashley knows me well enough.”

True, but not really.They’d talked about business and car show details, but not much about his nonprofit. “I didn’t know that you had friends in high places at Bliss.”

The slightest hint of a blush warmed his cheeks. “Now you know.”

“This one plays it close to the vest,” Miranda added, probably sensing Ashley’s curiosity and Phillip’s modesty. “Let’s go for a walk. I’ll show you where the magic happens.”

They left the reception area, and Ashley was unprepared for the kaleidoscope of colors that covered the hallways. Bright, colorful metallics led to a rainbow of watercolors and then a bedazzled corridor. Monkey bars lined the ceilings, beanbag chairs held court in the corners. Ashley stopped more than once to read brain teasers emblazoned on the walls. They even passed two Bliss employees playing an oversized game of tic-tac-toe as though it were just another day in the Bliss corporate headquarters.

“Our company philosophy believes that creativity begets creativity,” Miranda added, noting how Ashley slowed down to take in their game.

“I can tell, and obviously it works well for you.”

The sugary air was now distinctly lighter and fruitier. They stopped at a lemon-colored door, and Miranda escorted them into a stark-white laboratory. Everything—the ceilings, floors, cabinets, and workspaces—was a gleaming, glossy, lacquered white. There wasn’t a sign of life or any telltale signs of what happened in the room. There were no pens, pencils, papers, or computers, and not the slightest hint of ice cream.

Phillip turned slowly. “This is not what I expected.”

“It never is.” Miranda’s impish grin warned them that the day would be full of surprises. “Take a seat.”

They pulled white metal stools from under an expansive table that was surprisingly cool to the touch. At Miranda’s command, the center of the table separated, and a chill kissed the air. A small platform, only slightly smaller than the large workspace they first sat at, arose from within the table without a sound. There were several white bowls filled with brightly colored fruit. Some looked juicy and ripe, while others appeared frozen or dusted with sugar.

“This is the testing ground for our new sorbet concoctions,” Miranda explained as she produced white aprons from a discreet closet and then set a platter in front of them holding stacks of small bowls and spoons. A moment later, she added serving utensils. “We start with the freshest, ripest fruit and then imagine the best combinations. That’s what you’ll do right now. Close your eyes and let your taste buds call the shots.”

Ashley wasn’t sure about closing her eyes. The display was breathtaking, and the fruit deserved attention. Her mother’s magazine could snap pictures of the display, as is, and it would be magazine ready.

“You want us to try these?” Phillip asked as he took a spoon. “I think we can manage.”

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