Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,35
I missed. You were beaten?” She turned to Ryan in sympathy.
Ryan’s competitive spirit fired. “Total fluke. The Muskrats had some easy breaks. It won’t be happening again.”
Gabriella lowered her spoon. “It was quite the game, Joanna. The Otters fought hard, but it wasn’t hard enough.” She winced. “I look forward to a rematch and shutting them down again.”
Joanna practically choked on her mouthful, clearly enjoying Gabriella’s tenacity.
Ryan sat back. “Or we’ll see the Muskrats back to their hole.”
“This has taken a turn,” her mom said and took a bite of shrimp. “But I can’t wait to hear how it plays out.”
Ryan stared at Gabriella, and she stared back in challenge, which was awesome. The more time she spent around Gabriella, the more she liked her, even the parts that pushed her damn buttons. It turned out she really liked having her buttons pushed, especially by someone so formidable.
“How about a quick game of something?” her mom asked, after they’d polished their bowls from seconds.
Ryan looked to Gabriella. They had always been a game family, but that habit didn’t always transfer to others. “What do you think? Do you need to be home? Your call.”
Gabriella didn’t miss a beat. In fact, her eyes shone brightly with enthusiasm. “I’m obsessed with games. What are we playing?” She cracked her knuckles.
They answered in unison. “Phase Ten.” It had become their obsession the past couple of years, and Ryan had been bested by her mother the last three times they’d played. No more. As they gathered around the small table in the front parlor, affectionately referred to as Game Central, Ryan was off to a strong start, laying down phase one and pulling glares from the other two opponents. Halfway through, her mother shocked them all and pulled herself into the lead, winning three rounds in a row and on her way to another win.
“Joanna, how are you managing this?” Gabriella asked, with a bewildered look. Ryan’s eyes lingered on her for a beat too long, and Gabriella flicked her gaze to Ryan’s and grinned. Caught. A moment of heat passed between them. Ryan wasn’t mistaking it either. Gabriella’s eyes moved over her face to her neck, down to her chest, while her mother studied her cards, paying them no mind. Ryan swallowed.
“All in knowing whether to draw or pick up from the discard pile,” her mother said. “But beyond that, you two are on your own. I’m on my own mission.” She glanced up and caught them staring at each other. “What? Am I missing something?”
Gabriella picked up her cards quickly, rebounding. “Your mom’s as competitive as you are.”
Ryan lifted a shoulder. “I suppose I learn from the best.”
“Good thing I’m here now to give her a run for her money.” She made good on her word and took the next two phases easily, leaving Ryan stranded with cards in her hand. The game continued like that with the three of them laughing and trash-talking until eventually her mother emerged as the victor.
“You two kids have to work harder,” her mother said with the sweetest smile on her face, like an assassin you didn’t see coming. She fanned herself with a wayward card.
“She’s a shark,” Ryan said.
“A sneaky one,” Gabriella echoed. They cleaned up the game, and Gabriella grinned. “I loved tonight. In fact, it was one of my favorites since I’ve been in town. A home-cooked meal and a competitive card game? Unstoppable.”
That apparently called for a hug, and her mother wasted no time offering one. “You come back here for my homemade chili with or without Ryan. Your invitation is standing because I like you a lot.”
Gabriella held her by the elbows and looked into her eyes earnestly. “Listen to me when I say that I will be on your doorstep, cradling a bowl. You have my number now. Call. Or I’ll call you.”
Oh, they were a force now, and it had only been their first meeting. Ryan wasn’t exactly surprised. “All right, you two. Break it up.”
“I like her,” her mom said, pointing at Gabriella. “Did I mention that?”
“No. And we have to leave,” Ryan said. “Ready?”
“Until next time,” Gabriella said as they exited the house.
Once they were back on the sidewalk and heading to the truck, Gabriella turned to her. “Hey, I don’t know why you did it, but thank you for inviting me. I had the best time.”
“Yeah.” A pause as the world slowed down. Now that they were alone, things felt different. Heavier. Wonderful. Electric. “Me, too.”