Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,120

to a puddle at the sexy sight. She heard the shower. Grinned. Her cue.

With a deep inhale, she embraced the unending gratitude that swelled as she tossed the covers off and followed Gabriella. “I think we definitely should.”

In the shower, Gabriella snaked her arms around Ryan’s neck, went up on tiptoe, and grinned. “I’ve missed you.”

“You won’t have to, ever again.”

The hot water fell against their skin as they shared a kiss that seemed to seal the promise. So much ahead. So much to look forward to. So much love to wrap themselves up in.

Epilogue

Eight months later

It was what Gabriella called a lazy Friday night. Keith was heading up dinner service at Tangled so Gabriella could prepare for the big festival the following day. She had everything prepped and her signage ready to go, and was pumped for Tangled’s first official food booth alongside the Tangle Valley booth. Tonight was hers, however, and she relished the opportunity to simply relax at home. She leisurely stirred her chicken and corn chowder, impressed with its heartiness. Stealing a taste, she closed her eyes and nodded. “Nailed it.”

Ryan had been lying on the worn-in leather couch at the lake house, reading a murder mystery with Dale folded into a ball at her feet, commanding the last cushion for himself entirely. He wasn’t shy about claiming sleeping space, that guy. “You always nail it. It’s your gift.” Ryan looked over her shoulder at Gabriella, who stood at the stove. “No one nails it as much as you do. Even me, who hammers them daily.”

“You are too kind, peanut gallery. But seriously, this smoked paprika is a winner. Keeping it.”

“Do we get to eat it now? Please say yes.”

“No,” Gabriella said and folded her arms. Ryan was barefoot in a combination of sexy-cozy, which meant Gabriella had to join her on the couch as ordained by the heavens. Given that there was no available space, she was forced to snuggle in alongside Ryan, who lifted her arm in welcome, a total hardship.

“But why?” Ryan asked. “You always make us wait for food. It’s unlawful.”

“Because right now, all of those amazing flavors are marinating and coming together as one. You can’t rush perfection.” She gave Ryan’s chin a soft shake. “Just look at us. We took time.” They had, too. Sometimes Gabriella wondered what would have happened if they hadn’t given things another try. It made her ill to consider that she could have missed out on this amazing woman, who had become the love of her life. They’d taken it one step at a time for the first couple of months, but for the past six they had been inseparable, moving with Dale between the cottage and the lake house. They knew they’d have to make their living situation official at some point, with the lake house being the obvious choice. Gabriella had never lived anywhere more peaceful in her life, such a contrast to Jersey and her city mouse upbringing. They spent hours each week drinking wine on the dock and watching the water lap gently, content to be in each other’s presence and talk about anything and everything until they devoured each other most any night they weren’t exhausted. And then? They cuddled until sleep claimed them.

Ryan grinned. “You always use us as an example to make me more patient. It’s your trick.”

“Does it work?”

She kissed Gabriella softly. “Yes. Because I love you and would wait forever for you if I had to.”

“Just like you’re gonna wait for this soup.” Ryan sighed adorably, and Gabriella couldn’t take it. “Stop being attractive. It’s too much, I say. The sun is setting, the kitchen smells awesome, and my girlfriend is beyond sexy.”

Ryan’s eyes went wide. “How are you supposed to survive? Your life is taxing.” She unbuttoned Gabriella’s top button, which exposed a good portion of cleavage. “Now my life is.” She glanced back at the stove. “Since the soup’s busy…you’re kinda free right now.” She popped another button.

Gabriella gasped, scandalized. “Oh, I’m being seduced.”

Another button. “Is it working?”

She sat up, straddling Ryan’s stomach, her white shirt hanging open and her sky-blue bra now on display. Ryan reached up and cradled Gabriella’s breasts through the fabric, making her instantly wet. “I’d say it’s definitely convincing me to take a break.”

Ryan sat up and pulled Gabriella’s mouth down to hers. “I love it when you make soup.”

The next day, the town came out in droves for Waffle Fest. Gabriella had come to understand that in honor