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She took a dainty bite of her burger, wiped her ht run the world so If he had the slightest interest in politics, he’d be the president You just have no idea"

He smiled at her He’d met Frank Nice kid, very cordial and respectful But Eric hadn’t been as dazzled by his big brain as Ashley apparently was Then again, Frank hadn’t really been showcasing his brain He’d been paddleboarding And Eric had been studying his physique and the way he looked at Ashley Frank really cared about his daughter It was a very odd feeling

"And what’s going on in the car business?" she asked

"Day to day," he said "There has been an interesting developuy wants to buy my business He’s been in contact several ti? That’s very cool"

"Yeah, I guess it is My lack of interest just uy with money is impressed with the shop With the help of so"

"But you’d never sell it"

He gave a shrug "Part ofover now after all the work I put in Another part says, take thearound to see if there’s anything out there"

She got a panicked look on her face She sed "Would you be farther away?"

"Well, funny you should ask," he said He hadn’tthe subject up like this, but he told himself he’d learn a lot just from Ashley’s expression "There’s a possibility in Thunder Point"

Her eyes sparkled, it was un I can confirm--I haven’t even decided it makes sense to sell the shop But Thunder Pointthe question is, is that little town big enough for both of us?"

"What do youfor me to spend a couple of hours there every so often It would be another matter to have me there all the time It would probably raise questions about our history About your birth It could be uncomfortable for you"

She smiled at him "Eric, everyone in town knows my mom wasn’t ical father even though I think you’ll always be Eric toa father who served time in prison"

"Well, I haven’t mentioned that to hardly anyone, just my best friend, who is now my stepsister And I’m sure my mom told Mac I don’t know if anyone else knows, but I don’t really care what anyone says about that It’s not on me, Eric But I can understand if it bothers you"

"Look, I gave up trying to concealabout it, but if it comes out I don’t deny it But youran old boyfriend around"

"I don’t think it matters anymore But irlfriend come? Is it Cara? Is that her name?"

"Hmm That ended A couple of months back"

"Ended? Oh, no, what happened?"

He actually sner, reeek"

"No way!"

"Way She was prettythe back of his neck a little self-consciously "I’ve been putting in long hours It’s probably my fault I could have been more attentive"

Ashley sat back "You don’t seem all that broken up about it"

"My pride was hurt But I think our relationship ran its course and we both knew it The truth is--I’h people in s us back to Ashley, I don’t want to put your mother on the spot I don’t want her to feel backed into a corner She’s a nice person--if I co in or near Thunder Point would be a problem for her, she’ll probably tell me to do whatever I want to do Even if it’s not her first choice"

"You think you could stand living in a little town like Thunder Point?"

He gave a shrug "It’s a good little town, I re into youany assu, but I’ure I’ to assume any authority over you I promise"

"You’re very funny, Eric It’s almost too late for anyone to haveout the door"