Page 29 of The Lyrics of Love

“I’d like that.”

They talked about some of their favorite movies, and she was surprised to hear how he favored film noir.

“So does Ainsley. She loves a good black-and-white Humphrey Bogart movie.”

“Then I look forward to talking movies with her.”

When they finished their dinners, Nancy stopped by the table and told them, “Your check has been paid by the guy who approached you.”

“Thanks for letting us know,” Nash said. “This was a great meal. I’ll be back for breakfast next time. I could eat breakfast three times a day.”

“You’re welcome anytime, Nash.”

Nancy left them and he slid from the booth, placing his hand on the small of her back as he guided her through the diner. They stopped at the man’s table who had paid their bill.

“Thank you for our meal, sir.”

“Sorry we got off on the wrong foot,” the man apologized. “You were right. I demanded when I should have asked. I’ll know better next time.”

“Hope you’ll come over to the gazebo and hear me play.”

They left the diner, and he asked, “Does anyone have any kind of mic in one of these places? I feel there’ll be a fairly large turnout. I’d like those who come to be able to hear me.”

“The brewhouse has local acts which play on weekends. I don’t know if they bring their own equipment or if the brewhouse provides anything. We can check there.”

He handed her the keys to his truck. “Would you get my guitar? Take it to the center of the gazebo and stay there. I don’t want you to get lost in the crowd.”

She glanced over her shoulder and saw people pouring out of the diner and headed toward the gazebo. There was already a large group gathered around it. She supposed those were the people that had received texts that Nash was putting on an impromptu concert.

Nash leaned in and kissed her briefly. “See you in a few minutes.”

Rylie went to his truck and unlocked it, claiming the guitar case and making her way through the crowd and up the steps of the gazebo. She unfastened the locks on the case and removed the guitar from it, handling it gingerly. She decided to sit on one of the benches and hoped no one would join her.

Relief swept through her, though, when Dylan and Willow appeared and climbed the steps. Rylie stood, guitar in hand.

“I hear your new boyfriend is going to play a few songs,” Dylan said, a wicked grin on his face.

“He did it as a trade-off,” Rylie said. “If people would leave us alone and let us have dinner without any interruptions, he promised to play a couple of songs.”

“Just in case, I’ve called in the cavalry. There’ll be a few deputies along the perimeter.” He kissed his wife’s cheek. “Keep Rylie company. See you later.”

They took a seat on the bench and Willow said, “The news is all over town. I had walked down to the sheriff’s department after we met at the bakery and hung out until Dylan was ready to leave. We walked over to Crust ’n Stuff. Halfway through our meal, phones began blowing up inside the place. People are saying Nash held your hand and called you his lady.”

Her cheeks heated. “He did.”

“Things are straightened out between the two of you?” her friend asked hopefully.

Rylie nodded. “For now. we’re going to take it slow and get to know one another.”

Willow smiled. “It’s sounds as if you both have your heads on straight. I hope something good comes of this, Rylie.”

“I do, too.”

CHAPTER 11

Nash entered the Bearded Barrel Brewery and stepped up to the hostess stand. The teenager manning it looked up from her phone, her jaw dropping immediately when she caught sight of him.

“Nash Edwards!” she said, awe in her voice. “They said you were here, but I didn’t believe it. You’re here. In the Cove. Really here!”

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