Page 41 of The Lyrics of Love

“Hi, everyone,” Rylie said, seeing Gage sipping a beer as Carter stirred sauce in a pan. Tenley was tossing a salad.

Tenley took the lead. “I’m so glad you were able to join us tonight, Nash. I’m Tenley Clark. The master stirrer over there is my husband, Carter. And this is our friend Gage Nelson.”

Nash shook hands with Tenley, telling her, “Thanks for inviting me to Game Night. I’m only sorry you’ll be on the losing team tonight.”

Carter and Gage burst out laughing, and Carter said, “I already like this one. Glad to have you with us, Nash.”

Gage stepped up and offered Nash his hand. “Nice to meet you. Listen to your music.”

Rylie bit back a smile. Gage had always been a man of few words.

“Rylie taught me how to SUP yesterday at Lake Barbara,” Nash revealed. “It was quite the workout. She told me about your classes and training. How you might start a SUP yoga class.”

“I’m giving it serious consideration. I’m in the middle of a ten-class session for beginners. Learning a lot,” Gage shared. “Gonna try to teach Rylie what I’ve learned to see if it’s feasible for me to hold classes.”

“I’d love to be a part of those practice lessons if you would let me,” Nash said. “I like SUP-ing and plan to do more of it in the future. I’ve never tried yoga and might need to do so before I get on a paddleboard.”

Gage looked to her, and Rylie nodded. “Happy to teach you both.”

“I’d like to talk to you about training with you, as well,” Nash continued. “I know this isn’t the time or place to talk business, but I’d like to get your number and maybe meet for coffee to talk about what I’d like to do.”

Gage nodded. “Give me your phone.”

Nash handed it over, and Gage entered his number in it. “Text me when you’re ready to talk. Weekends are pretty busy for me, with all the weekend warriors. Maybe we could get together Monday.”

“Sounds good to me,” Nash said. He wandered over and began watching Carter. “I think it’s called fangirling,” he told their host. “I spent a lot of time on my own this past year, and I began watching the Food Network. I didn’t know how to boil an egg before that, and even though I liked what I watched, I never felt confident enough to make anything on my own. Until I started watching your videos.”

Carter perked up. “You’ve seen my vlog?”

“Yes, I stumbled onto it online, and I like how you make cooking simple.”

“Anyone can cook. Even a six-year-old,” Carter said. “Complex dishes may seem complicated, but it’s all about breaking them down into manageable steps. Take this béchamel sauce, for instance. It’s basically butter, flour, and milk. You just have to baby it. Be patient with it.”

“I’m from East Texas originally and live mostly in Nashville now, so I’m drawn to Southern food. I’ve tried your fried chicken. Pork chops. Meatloaf. Baked and fried cod. Rylie told me you’re writing a cookbook.”

“I am. It’s based off my vlogs. Lots of pictures with clear, step-by-step instructions. I’m also big on including times. How long it takes to chop or dice something. How many times to stir something. How many hours to nurse soup or stew on the stove. It’ll all be in the cookbook.”

“I’ve preordered it. I’m looking forward to reading it.

Carter laughed and held up a single finger. “That’s one sale outside of friends and family, babe.”

They all laughed and Nash said, “Just like I want to set up some time with Gage, I’d also be interested in a couple of one-on-one lessons with you. Is that something you might consider?”

“At one time, I had thought about holding group cooking classes in the Cove,” Carter admitted. “Actually, between the vlog, writing this first cookbook and starting a second one, I decided to give up the idea of lessons. But since you’re a friend of Rylie’s, I think we could manage a lesson or two together.”

Tenley spoke up. “Would you consider letting us put that lesson online? Carter and I have a few charities we support. Having a celebrity guest on a vlog or two and mentioning those charities, we might be able to raise some donations.”

Rylie weas pleased when she saw Nash’s smile.

“I’d be happy to do that,” he said. “If you can show your viewers you can teach someone like me how to cook a meal? They’ll realize they can do the same. It also might boost sales of your cookbook and YouTube subscriptions, as well as help out charity. I’m in. just let me know when.”

Carter turned the flame off his sauce. “That’s fantastic, Nash.”

“What’s fantastic?” Ainsley asked, entering the kitchen with two bottles of wine in her hands, Jackson following with a Tupperware container containing tonight’s dessert.

Suddenly, Rylie realized that Nash would be around people drinking. She didn’t know how he would respond. Her gaze met his, and he nodded reassuringly at her. She knew none of her friends would force a drink on him, and she only hoped if he had quit drinking, he would be able to keep away from temptation.

Ainsley gave Nash a hug, which surprised Rylie. She introduced her husband to Nash. By then, Willow and Dylan arrived, and they begin talking about the concert Nash had put on a few nights earlier.

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