One Tiny Lie – Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,46

hope for the future, alluding to new ideas and innovations that would promote the longevity of the vineyard. As he spoke, he looked straight at Luna, his expression glowing with such admiration and love that she felt as if her heart would burst.

Luna stepped away from Hudson to go to the restroom and refresh her makeup. She’d just left her bedroom and was in the hall outside her door when a man stepped in front of her. Her blood ran cold. Spencer Wellington! She stumbled back. “What’re you doing here?”

“We need to talk,” he growled.

She lifted her chin. “We have nothing to talk about.” Her voice was shaky. She hoped Spencer hadn’t noticed. Luna’s heart was pounding like a jackhammer, and she felt like she couldn’t get a good breath. “As I told you earlier, you have me mistaken for someone else.” She moved to push past him, but he grabbed her arm as he had before. “Let go of me, or I’ll scream!”

He rattled out a hard laugh. “You do that, Luna. And then, I’ll march outside and tell everyone at the party that you’re a fraud.”

Blood drained from her face. “What’re you talking about?”

A cruel smile twisted over his lips. “After I saw you at the bistro …” He grunted. “Or rather, the look on your face when you saw me, I did a little digging. As it turns out, Cash Romeo and Luna are doing a concert in New York City tonight, and surprise, surprise you’re here.”

“More proof that I’m not Luna Ellison,” she said hotly. Her mind reeled. Spencer had no proof of the things he was saying, only speculation.

“Gotcha!” he said triumphantly.

“What do you mean?” Her lungs were squeezing off her air. She felt dizzy and sick at heart.

“I never said your last name. You just did.”

Tears sprang to her eyes. She was such an idiot! Of course. He’d been baiting her. Spencer probably wasn’t sure about his theory, until now. “What do you want?” she asked hoarsely.

He got up in her face. Contempt carved an ugly mask over his features. “I want you to hurt like I hurt.”

Her insides shriveled. “I never meant to hurt you or your family.” Her voice trembled as the words spilled out. “I didn’t know that Douglas was married. I realized he was the night you saw us at the restaurant. I ended the relationship.” To her knowledge—no one except Spencer ever knew that she had a relationship with Douglas Wellington, not even Grandma Peach. Luna had been so ashamed when she realized that Douglas was married. Then, when Ruth Wellington overdosed on sleeping pills, the situation was compounded. Luna had been living with the guilt of her death for a long time. It was part of the reason why she’d left Huntsville and moved to Nashville.

Rage burned in his eyes. “My mother’s dead because of you!”

“I—I’m sorry that your mother killed herself. But it wasn’t my fault.” She tightened her jaw. “I was sixteen years old. A kid! Maybe you should be blaming your dad for all of this instead of me. Douglas lied to me. He told me his wife had died,” she hissed.

A wild look came into Spencer’s eyes, and for a second, Luna feared he might hit her. She shrank back. “You need to leave,” she ordered.

He laughed. “I’ll leave, but first you’re gonna give me what I want.”

Fear lodged a cold spear through her chest. Her words stuck like molasses in her throat, but she managed to croak them out. “What is that?”

“I want fifty-thousand dollars to keep quiet.”

An incredulous laugh riddled her throat. “Are you insane? I don’t have that kind of money!”

His jaw hardened. “From the looks of this place, I’m sure you can find a way to get it. Fifty-thousand dollars cash, or I tell everyone who you really are.”

Her mind raced. “I need time,” she squeaked.

He nodded. “You’ve got one week.”

“How will I find you?”

“I’ll find you.” He let go of her arm, giving her a shove as he stalked away.

Instinctively, she rubbed the places where his fingers had touched. He was so loathsome. She felt defiled. Luna’s entire body was shaking. She couldn’t believe this was happening! She stumbled into her room and closed the door as she collapsed on the bed. She tried to think, but her mind was in too much turmoil. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She needed to talk to Ava! But it would have to wait until tomorrow. Humiliation burned a scorching trail through