Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,102

cream sauce on the special had been out of this world.

The restaurant closed at eleven, and Gabriella made it out of there just after midnight, leaving Keith to oversee cleanup. “All right, guys. Enjoy tomorrow with friends and family, and we’ll be back up on Tuesday.”

Joy danced in a circle. “Not that I don’t love working with you killers, but I need a day to lie on my couch and not move.”

Gabriella could identify. All she wanted about now was a glass of wine and some time to relax. She could head back to her empty cottage and try to stay out of her own head, which was not a fun place these days, or she could join her friends for the tail end of movie night in the barn. Although the weather was warmer during the day, the nights were gorgeous with a welcome chill. Yep. Staying busy and distracted was the name of the game lately, because as angry as she still was at Ryan, she missed her even more. She still turned in her bed halfway expecting to feel Ryan’s arms move around her, her body pressed to Gabriella’s in warm comfort. She also missed their talks late at night on Ryan’s dock, and looking into those dark blue eyes that seemed to see straight into her. Her anger didn’t seem to be much match for the memories her mind clung to, and what her heart still acutely yearned for. Movie night it was.

Exhausted as hell, she slipped into the old barn quietly, surprised to see a black-and-white film on the makeshift screen. She recognized it after a moment as that Hitchcock film, Rear Window. She’d seen it once at a festival Mariana had dragged her to for her college film class. Gabriella was confident this had to be a Madison pick and eyed her astutely. Without a word, Madison lifted the light blanket that covered her lap and shoulders and Gabriella wordlessly slipped under it next to her. Honoring the silence, she waved to Becca and Joey, who were snuggled up like two bugs in a love-struck rug. Joey blew her a kiss, and they watched together as Jimmy Stewart grew more and more suspicious of his neighbors. The warmth from Madison’s leg against hers was a comfort, and she felt her eyes getting heavy as they moved toward the film’s denouement. Madison must have sensed it and opened her arm, offering Gabriella her shoulder. “Come here,” she whispered.

While it felt completely natural in one sense, she hesitated. But why? She had been feeling so lost and adrift, and this was her friend offering her a shoulder to relax against. She snuggled in and sighed, relishing the comfort and familiarity. Did she notice Becca watching them with interest from across the room as Madison pulled her in a tad closer? Most definitely. Did she have the energy to worry or overanalyze? Not tonight.

The energy in the room had definitely shifted, however, and when the film ended, it seemed like Joey and Becca were late for something important that likely didn’t exist.

“Remind me never to spy on the neighbors I don’t have,” Joey said, motioning to the screen and scurrying to pick up the empty wineglasses and bottle.

Becca did the same for the popcorn. “Right? Nothing but trouble. Talk about tension in that one.”

Madison laughed and sat up, releasing Gabriella who felt the loss of warmth immediately. “That’s what I love about it. Perfectly paced. Hitchcock knows how to use a lengthy pause to antagonize us.”

“And trust me, I’m antagonized,” Joey said, overexaggerating the statement. She was trying too hard to be normal and failing miserably.

“Thanks for letting me join late,” Gabriella said. “Just wasn’t in the mood to turn in yet.”

“Oh yeah, sure,” Joey said in a voice that was higher pitched than her usual.

“So glad you made it over,” Becca said, clutching various glasses and bowls like a thief making a getaway. “’Night, everyone.”

And just like that the two of them were out of there in a very strange instant. “I’ll walk you home,” Madison said with a soft smile.

“Nope. I’ll walk you.” The extra air would do her good.

“Deal.”

They strolled in silence for a bit. She felt so comfortable walking alongside Madison. She thought the world of her, and maybe she should try and open up her mind to…revisiting more. The problem was she was a confused mess with a broken heart and a lost sense of direction. This probably wasn’t the time to