Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,18

earn this? No one told me. Come here, sweetheart.” Patsy reached across the bar and squeezed Joey’s face and then each of the others’.

“We’re here to scoot. Girls’ night,” Joey told her.

“Our executive hottie is missing. She working late?” Patsy asked.

“Yes, hotel hours and all. But we had a lovely morning to make up for what would be a late night.” Joey grinned and slipped into an impressive shade of strawberry. Ryan enjoyed seeing Joey Wilder hot and heavy with someone new after the town obsessed about her being left at the altar a few years back. Happy and carefree looked good on her. Not as good as that sundress on Gabriella, though. She blinked and stole another luxurious glimpse. When her mouth went uncharacteristically dry, she took another swallow of beer.

“Cat got your tongue tonight, Ryan Jacks?” Gabriella asked with a side of sass. The group seemed energetic. Rowdy, like they were already in the midst of a fantastic night out together.

“I’m just decompressing from a very successful day making your dreams come true. You can thank me later.”

Gabriella’s eyes went wide. “I’m not going to argue with the dreams part. You might have to wait a while on the formal thank-you. It’s going that well?”

“I had the electrician in there today, taking a look at what we’ll need. He sees no major issues. Just some rewiring for the kitchen specifically to pass inspection.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” She touched her newly delivered draft beer to Ryan’s longneck, then craned her neck around Ryan. “Good to see you, Billy. I like your shirt. How’s your daughter?”

“Thank you. She’s starting on algebra early,” he said, beaming. “She’s really smart.” Gotta love the guy and his big heart.

“Aw, that’s the best. You must be proud of her.”

He touched his chest. “I really am. Her mom is, too.”

“You should see the kid. She got the best from both parents.” Ryan turned more fully to Gabriella. “Will you be dancing tonight?”

“You know, the night is young, and I’m going to play that one by ear.”

“Maybe I’ll see you out there.”

Gabriella nodded but didn’t say anything for a minute. “Yeah, well, you never know.” She offered a smile but it was delayed. What the hell did a delayed smile mean? Ryan couldn’t tell if she’d made an impression, or if Gabriella was merely tolerating her. Five minutes into a conversation with Billy about whether or not they should bring in Doug D. for the paint job at Tangle Valley, and Ryan realized she wasn’t fully listening. Hell, she was replaying her damn exchange with Gabriella Russo and keeping track of where she was in the bar. In this particular moment, she happened to be standing on the edge of the dance floor, chatting animatedly with Clementine. Ryan focused on her beer, and then Billy, and then Gabriella again, and then her beer.

“Are you even in there right now? What the hell, Jacks?” Billy asked.

She swiveled to him. “Of course. I’m just enjoying the music. See?” She grooved to the beat. The song was something from years ago, but she bopped her head to feign interest. “I can’t help it if I’m moved by the tunes of yesteryear, Billy. I can’t be held down.”

“You’re a damn liar. Two seconds ago, you told me I could take your truck to Mexico and leave it there.”

She blinked and grinned. “Did I?”

“Straight up.”

“I’m not that attached to it is all.”

He inclined his head toward the dance floor. “I don’t know who’s on your mind, but they got a firm grip. Is it the chef?” He shook his head. “She’s really pretty, Ry. Another level. I like her, too. She’s quick.”

Now that Billy had broached the topic, she leaned in, eager for an outside opinion. “This is the thing. Are you ready?”

He rolled his shoulders. “Put me in, coach. Born ready.”

“I can’t tell where I stand. If she’d be into it or not, you know? She’s playful, but maybe she’s just being friendly.” Ryan shook her head. “It’s weird.”

Billy snorted. “Best day ever. Since when has Ryan Jacks been on the ropes about a woman and her feelings?” He leaned in. “It’s not weird. It’s how the world works. You’ve just had it different than the rest of us, but no more. Fuck, yeah.” He slapped the bar, enjoying this too damn much.

She scoffed, “Who said anything about feelings?”

He stole a glance at Gabriella and her friends and didn’t have the decency to be discreet. “She doesn’t seem