Page 77 of The Lyrics of Love

Luna Edwards.

She wasn’t proud she had done so, but she had Googled Luna after Nash had been in the Cove a week. The pictures of the tall, leggy blond were all stunning. Rylie had even watched an episode of the Netflix series Luna had a featured role in. Again, the woman was perfect in every way. Rylie hadn’t mentioned to Nash that she had checked out his wife. And Rylie had come to believe that Nash had been in love with the idea of a perfect woman but hadn’t truly loved Luna. Still, she knew physically she could never compare favorably with the younger woman.

Tossing back her shoulders, Rylie raised he chin a notch and took the few remaining steps to Nash’s bedroom.

Luna sat in his bed, naked to the waist. Probably naked below the waist, as well, but the covers were artfully arranged about her.

“Oh. You aren’t Nash.” Her nose wrinkled as she studied Rylie. “You’re the woman he’s been seeing. I’ve seen your picture online.” She paused, again looking Rylie up and down. “You actually look better in person. That surprises me. But you’ve got too many curves for Nash. He likes his women thin. And beautiful. Like me.”

Nash had warned Rylie to stay off the Internet. That several pictures of them together had been posted. She had done as he asked, supposing tourists had shot a good majority of them. At least she hoped the residents of the Cove had more decency than to invade her and Nash’s privacy the few times they had been to town together.

Rylie casually crossed the room and hung the bag in Nash’s closet. Turning, she walked toward the bed, crossing her arms.

“I’ve seen your pictures, as well.”

She wanted to say the woman photographed better than she looked, but Luna Edwards was stunning in person. A mass of curly, golden-blond hair. Ice-blue eyes. A subtle spray tan. Perfect bone structure. And magnificent breasts, fully on display now.

“Nash will be home any minute,” she warned, hoping to get this woman out of her fiancé’s bed and house before he arrived.

“You can run along now,” Luna instructed. “Nash and I have some catching up to do.”

Though this woman was a ten to Rylie’s seven, she had one thing on her.

Nash loved her.

And that allowed her confidence to soar.

“No, Luna, you’re the one who needs to run along now. I don’t know how you got in here, but don’t think Nash won’t press charges against you for breaking and entering.”

Luna laughed. “That’s ridiculous. Nash still loves me.”

“He never loved you.”

For a moment, doubt flickered in those cold, blue eyes. “Of course he loved me. He married me. Yes, I was a naughty little thing. I was lonely while he was on tour, and I let that loneliness cloud my judgment for a very short while. But anyone can make a mistake. I know my husband has missed me.”

“Ex-husband,” she emphasized. “And no, he hasn’t missed you. Because he has me.”

A hard look crept into Luna’s eyes. “You’re a no one,” she spat out. “I’m a star. I’ve been named to People’s Most Beautiful list multiple times. I know everyone in the industry.” She paused, looking disdainfully at Rylie. “You, on the other hand, are anonymous. Barely anything online comes up when your name is Googled, other than that little store you own, full of junk.”

“That little store is turning quite a profit,” she fired back. “It’s got an excellent clientele. I would rather Antiques and Mystiques have the focus instead of me.”

“You need to lose at least ten pounds and get a better hair stylist. You look so... average.”

“Rylie is more beautiful than you could ever be, Luna,” Nash said, stepping through the door, slipping his arm around her waist. “She is beautiful inside and outside. I have never met a smarter, kinder, more resilient person. She is everything I want in a wife. I love her so much, it hurts.”

“You don’t know what you want, Nash,” Luna said. “You are so easily led. I hooked you and reeled you in. You didn’t have a clue.”

“If you’re attempting to win me back, Luna, what you’re saying is torpedoing you. Not that I would ever take you back. I’m marrying Rylie.”

Immediately, Luna switched tactics, almost purring like a cat as she said, “But we have so much fun together in bed, Nash. I know I satisfy you more than this woman ever could.”

“You won’t believe it, Luna, but I’m telling you that you are boring in bed compared to Rylie. We have chemistry that is off the charts. I’ll ask once—nicely. Get out of my bed and house now, and I won’t call the police and have you booked for breaking and entering.”

Luna shoved the bedclothes away and came to her feet before them. “We are perfect together, Nash. Yes, I slipped up with Freddy, but I’ve learned my lesson.”

He shook his head. “You’re here because Netflix canceled your show. I read about it online. I’m guessing you’re broke and decided to try and weasel your way back into my life.” Nash shook his head. “It won’t work, Luna. You and I are history. I’m marrying Rylie. Don’t contact me again. Don’t try to see me again. You’ll only embarrass yourself.”

Luna huffed. “I will destroy you online. You won’t have any fans left by the time I’m finished. With my looks and charm, the media will easily believe me. I can look anyone in the eye and lie to them with ease.” She laughed, the sound brittle. “I did it to you.”

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