Page 65 of Phillip

His face skewed. “I can tell.” Then Phillip sighed and ran his hand into his hair, slouching back. “About earlier—”

“Please don’t,” she whispered.

He had so much to say, so much he wanted to do. One taste of her hadn’t been enough. He didn’t know if time had healed his wounds, but he knew it hadn’t dampened his feelings. Every interaction with Ashley pulled another layer away, bringing him closer to the way that he had cared for her long ago.

Thatwas something he’d forgotten. He’d blocked out the loss of his lover and best friend, only hanging on to the lust and hurt pride. He’d known that he loved her, and now he continued to remember what they had actually been, what they could be—in love.

“We could talk about the car show,” she suggested. “The Ferrari, maybe?”

The Ferrari hit him in the chest, though she had no idea. He ignored the memories of the best connection he had to his father. “There’s nothing left to do for it. Our family accountants and lawyers already had me sign the needed paperwork.”

“Oh, okay.” The brief work conversation seemed to have given her strength. Then she ticked off her to-do list from memory.

As he listened, he realized that he was wrong. Work hadn’t brought her back to life—it had just given her a safe topic to discuss. She did so in a mechanical fashion.

Phillip interrupted only to add what he’d already done and mentally took notes for her requests and ideas.

The back-and-forth slowed, and the work conversation wrapped until silence hung between them like a stormy cloud that had rolled back in.

Ashley stood. “So, we’ve talked.”

He shook his head. “Not even close.”

“Can we agree that earlier was a mistake?” Her quick words fell as her cheeks reddened.

“I don’t think it was a mistake.” He leaned back in the chair.

She cringed. “Come on, Phillip. We had a quickie—”

“We weren’t anywhere near quick, beautiful.”

“Phillip!”

His eyebrow arched. “Are you going to tell me that you disagree?”

She wouldn’t meet his eye.

The stubborn frustration only egged him on. “Because I enjoyed myself and could’ve sworn you did too.”

“Oh for God’s sake.”

He grinned, pleased her gaze met his, even if it was a glare. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“You used me,” she snapped.

His eyebrow cocked. That was an unexpected turn of the conversation. “Not any more than you used me.”

“Not even close,” she spat.

Phillip repositioned to sit next to her.

Ashley inched away. “You were pissed at me, at Sean.” She folded her arms protectively around her purse. “You were ready to throw a punch when he brought up Graham and Claire.”

He smirked. “I was there, thanks.”

“You used sex to forget about everything!” She squeezed her bag and pivoted away.

Of all the accusations that Ashley could’ve lobbed at him… Phillip let that one roll through his thoughts. Uncomfortable situation and crazy behavior… The woman knew him too well, but she didn’t have all of the facts.

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