Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,29

returned to her food. Ryan was fun, good-looking, and cheeky as hell, but she also came wrapped in a jumble of red flags as far as Gabriella was concerned. She couldn’t let things go too far. She wasn’t a tease.

“I think I just offended my lunch partner,” Ryan said and closed one eye. Her face was surprisingly red. Gabriella was not expecting the vulnerability and was thrown yet again. This was all so new from Ryan, and it softened her heart.

“Revelation. I’m not easily offended,” Gabriella said. “Angered? Sure. I’m one of four girls who grew up in a small apartment. We fought for what we wanted. You saw that with the column reaction.”

Ryan’s eyes went wide. “Oh, did I ever. You’re a go-getter.”

She winced. “I have a spark of a temper and have been known to launch into the Italian my grandmother used to speak to me as a kid. Never really been described as a wilting flower.”

“Trust me. I’m aware after last night’s game. No one would mistake you for anything wilting.”

Gabriella laughed. “And I’m a fantastic chops buster. You’ll notice I give it back just as good as you dish it out.”

Ryan sighed, and it was clear she was unsettled. Something hung over her, and it was more than the softball loss. “I guess it’s my turn to offer a revelation.”

Gabriella cut into her ravioli. “I’m listening.”

“I tend to tease you that way because I like what I know of you so far.” She exhaled slowly as if relieved to have just said it. “A lot. More than maybe I should.” She shook her head. “It’s a thing.”

“Oh.” Gabriella wasn’t sure what to do with that. She liked Ryan a lot, too, but she wasn’t about to go all the way there. She couldn’t. Dreamy eyes and a physique to die for were fun. But Ryan was a kid on a playground, having the time of her life, hopping from girl to girl. She, on the other hand, was settled and old and comfortable and boring. Okay, well, not ancient, but definitely not in the same place as someone like Ryan Jacks. Nor did she want to go back there.

“If it’s a client-contractor issue, I get it. But the job is only temporary.”

“Not the job, and what you said was…sweet. Really, it was, but—”

“No, no, no. Don’t say I’m sweet like some kind of gentle pat on the head to the neighbor kid across the street.” She covered her eyes.

Was Ryan embarrassed? Where was the swagger?

“What is going on right now? Did I hurt your feelings?” Gabriella leaned in.

“No. Absolutely not.” Ryan dropped her hands. “I just happen to think you’re pretty great, even though you yelled at me, and wanted to hang out. You don’t, and that is one hundred percent okay and allowed.”

“We can hang out,” Gabriella said. “In fact, we should. I can’t guarantee I won’t be bossy.” She paused, feeling the need to manage expectations. “But we’re not going to wind up in bed. I should be up front about that.”

A pause. Ryan got that cheeky look on her face again. “Are you sure, though? It could happen even if we aren’t expecting it.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head sagely. “It won’t.”

Ryan laughed, the mood light again. It seemed whenever they circled back to flirtation, they relaxed, enjoyed themselves. Gabriella supposed it was harmless enough and fun, but she was happy she’d been direct. “Fine,” Ryan said. “No sex. But if you change your mind, that’s okay, too.”

“Oh, you apparently didn’t get the widely circulated memo that I’m the most stubborn person on the planet.”

“Oh, I can attest to that.” Gabriella turned at the sound of a familiar voice. Madison.

“See? Listen to my ex-girlfriend. I never waver.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow, her expression dialed to shock. “Oh, wow. You two used to…”

Madison nodded. “We used to. Yes. Back in the day.”

Gabriella watched Ryan take in that information, looking from Madison to her and back again. If Gabriella wasn’t mistaken, Ryan deflated.

“I had no idea based on how tight you two are now.”

“It was in the lesbian rule book,” Madison said. “Be friends with your ex—so we had no choice but to make it happen.” She turned to Gabriella apologetically. “Can I steal food? I have a meeting with my crew in twenty and want to make sure I don’t pass out.”

“Of course.”

Gabriella stood, but Madison waved her off. “I can plate. I’ve been watching you do it for years. Sit. Enjoy your