Page 53 of Phillip

Ashley bit her cheeks. “I don’t know. A good marketing plan and—”

“Never mind.” Phillip turned to the microwaves. “Forget I asked.”

“Are you upset with me?”

He looked at her like she’d lost her mind. “No.”

“She used to be normal,” Ashley said. “Even if she was always more robot than not. I’ve seen pictures of her and my father doing normal things. Like picnics.” Though she couldn’t remember family activities like that. “I’ve read interviews where she discussed cooking and…” She sighed. “You’re right. Never mind.” It was exhausting to think about.

Phillip took the plates from the microwave and added coleslaw. She followed him to a picnic table. Before they dug in, she desperately wanted to lighten the mood again. “Tell me your favorite thing here.”

“Easy. The rope swing into the lake.”

“Oh, that sounds like fun.”

“Next time, we’ll bring our swimsuits,” he said. Then he took a bite of his corn dog.

Next time.She grinned and then devoured her lunch.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The lake glimmered with activity. Phillip leaned back in his Adirondack chair, admiring the view. Or rather, admiring Ashley. Somewhere between the chow hall and the lake, she’d let herself go, and a lack of beach clothes didn’t stop her from playing with the kids.

A group of twelve-year-olds schooled them in volleyball. Phillip blamed the ugly loss on a day filled with eating, but Ashley borrowed a hair tie from one of the girls, playfully demanding a rematch.

He and Ashley lost that game too. Then a game of cornhole. That was all he could take. But she stayed with the kids, playing in the water with the groups that cycled through their day.

Her skirt and shirt were soaked as she tried to catch minnows with younger kids. Never in a million years could he have pictured this. She turned, as though feeling his gaze, and gave him a quick wave.

His chest tightened, and her smile drew him to his feet. Ashley covered her eyes as he made his way to her. Sweat glistened on her forehead. Tendrils of hair had escaped the ponytail. Best of all, she didn’t care. He wasn’t sure she’d ever looked more beautiful.

A whistle blew. A counselor called for the kids to line up. They ran from the water, but Ashley didn’t move. By the time Phillip’s feet touched the water, the group was heading out, singing a camp song about s’mores.

“Is everything okay?” she called.

Phillip waded into the lake and stopped in front of her. The water came to his knees, and she tipped her head back as he towered over her.

“This has been the most amazing day ever,” she whispered.

He wanted to give her that again and again. “Good.” He brushed the loose hair from her face. “You need to know something.”

“What?”

“I promised myself I’d slow down, take things slow.”

Her eyes widened.

“I haven’t kissed you yet, but I’m halfway in love again.”

Ashley trembled, and not giving her time to second-guess or run away, he took her cheeks in his hands. Phillip bent close. Her eyelashes fluttered, and he pressed his lips to hers. Her hands clutched his shirt, and she opened her mouth to him.

He savored the fullness of her lips and the greedy way she pulled him closer. He relearned her mouth, every sweeping second heightening their intensity until they clung together. Phillip gathered her in his arms and slowed their frenzy until they swayed together, lips a breath apart.

She nuzzled into his chest, letting him wrap her in a hug.

He couldn’t recall this possessive hunger before, and if this high was only halfway to love, he wasn’t sure that either of them were prepared for him to claim her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

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