Page 40 of The Lyrics of Love

By the end of the night, he had written Second Chance Promises.

CHAPTER 14

Rylie slipped into the sleeveless linen tunic, which was the same shade as her eyes. She and Ainsley had been shopping together in Portland last summer when they had come across the shirt. Both cousins had bought one since it matched their eye color. Rylie only hoped that Ainsley wouldn’t be wearing hers tonight. She wanted to text Ainsley and tell her not to wear it, but at the same time she didn’t want Ainsley to know how much she was stressing over what to wear this evening.

She paired the shirt with white capris and espadrilles, hoping she achieved a casual yet chic look.

Her day spent with Nash had been incredible. There was no single thing she could point to that would explain to someone else how special it had been. Just time spent in the country singer’s company was pleasurable. She had picked him up this morning, and they had driven down the coast to the estate sale just outside of Cannon Beach. She had texted him the link to the sale the previous evening and wondered if he had looked at it. It was obvious he had, though, from the questions he had in the car on their way there. He asked her if she would be on the lookout to purchase specific pieces. She explained how she had a list of her clients’ wants and needs and was always searching for certain items. At the same time, however, she would buy a piece simply because of its quality and provenance to display in her store. Good pieces would move since Oregon—and the Portland area, in general—had a large group of people who collected and enjoyed antique furniture.

She had worried about Nash being recognized at the estate sale and how he would handle it. Only two people had said something to him, seeing beyond the dark glasses and ballcap he wore even inside the house. Both times, Nash had shrugged off their comments, saying he got that sometimes and didn’t even listen to country music. His comments had been enough that both curious parties drifted away.

She was a little nervous with how her friends would respond to him this evening, which was ridiculous. They would like him simply because she liked him and had brought him to Game Night. She was desperate for him to fit in with them, though. He had seemed comfortable with Willow and Dylan, and Willow had even texted Rylie the day after the mini-concert in the gazebo, saying how much she and Dylan had enjoyed meeting Nash. Willow hadn’t asked about if their relationship were progressing, and Rylie supposed her friend would be watching tonight at how the pair interacted with one another.

She spritzed on perfume and took a final look in the mirror, satisfied at what she saw. Grabbing her purse, Rylie went out the door to her car. Nash had offered to come and pick her up, but she had told him that would be silly since he lived only a few houses away from Tenley and Carter. She had said it would be easier for her to swing by and pick him up. If she drove, she would have control of where the night went. She could drop him at his place after Game Night. She could say yes or no if he invited her in.

Or she could take him home with her.

That last thought brought tingles. She had reveled in their numerous kisses by the lake yesterday. She was also grateful how respectful Nash was toward her and how he was letting her call the shots at this point.

Was she ready to take their relationship to a higher level? Would physical intimacy strengthen the bond they already had, or would it show her that there was only a physical attraction between them?

She didn’t think so. Rylie enjoyed being around Nash and talking with him. She had never been more relaxed in a man’s company, at least ones she had romantic feelings toward. If she could remain at this comfort level while exploring a more physical relationship with him, she might be able to put a name to the feelings she held within her. At this point, she wasn’t willing to attach any label to them. What did dance through her mind frightened her.

Rylie left town, heading down the road and passing Willow and Dylan’s house, which they all affectionately referred to as Boo’s house. Boo Martin had raised her two grandchildren in the Cove after their parents were killed. Boo’s house had always been open to all in the Cove, and Rylie was glad that Willow and Dylan had moved into it and would raise their family there. That led her to thinking about Ainsley and Jackson actively trying for a baby now. Rylie couldn’t wait to be an aunt and hold her little niece or nephew in her arms.

She signaled and turned into Nash’s driveway, moving slowly down it until she reached the house. She spied him sitting on the porch swing. He stood, moving down the stairs and striding toward her car. She unlocked the door, and he entered the passenger’s side, leaning in and kissing her cheek. She liked that. Nash didn’t assume too much. He was a gentleman.

She decided at that moment that she would wind up in his bed at the end of the night.

That decision made, she smiled at him. “Ready for Game Night?”

He laughed easily. “I’m ready to eat Carter Clark’s food. I hope it will be a game I’m familiar with. I haven’t played too many over the years. Sorry. Monopoly. The Game of Life. That’s probably it. Now cards? That’s a different story. They’re easy to transport, and I’ve played a lot of cards on the road. Backstage before a concert. Even in the recording studio while a producer tried to work out an issue with the engineers.”

“We don’t really play card games, but that’s an idea. We stick more to traditional ones, with a few new ones tossed in every now and then. I told you before, sometimes we pair up. Sometimes it’s men against women. The men would have the advantage tonight since you will have an extra person.”

“I know one of them is Gage,” he said. “The trainer. I think I’ll talk to him about getting his advice on designing a workout regimen for me. I know I can’t always have you play hooky from work to go SUP-ing with me.”

“You never want to SUP alone,” she cautioned as she made the turn into the Clarks’ driveway. “It’s just like swimming or diving. Better to always have someone with you.”

He chuckled. “Then I may have to hire Gage to come SUP with me. Does he do that sport?”

“Gage does SUP. He’s actually taking a class himself now on performing yoga on a paddleboard. He told me once he finishes the class, he’ll use me as his guinea pig and try to teach me, to see if he could do the same with a group.”

“I’ve never done yoga before.”

“You’d be terrific at it because of your natural athleticism and ability to concentrate. It’s really relaxing. Sometimes I do a few poses before I go to bed. It really puts my mind and body in the right frame and helps me fall asleep more quickly.”

“I’m game for anything,” he told her, getting out of the car and hurrying around to open her door.

Gage’s truck was in front of them, so she knew he was already here. Willow and Dylan would probably walk since they lived so close.

They went up the porch stairs, and Rylie told Nash to go in without knocking. “They’re expecting us.”

Entering the house, she called out, “We’re here!”

“In the kitchen!” Tenley hollered.

They started in that direction. Nash caught her hand and entangled his fingers with hers before they got there. She knew that would make a statement to her friends.

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