Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,37

months now, and she was clearly in the mood. It was the perfect time of night for Ryan to jet over to Lana’s place for a little fun and still make it home for a decent night’s rest. There was nothing at all holding her back.

She began to type. So sorry. Not gonna make it tonight. Exhausted.

She turned off her phone and tossed it onto the passenger seat. She smiled as she drove through town and straight home. She’d figure it all out later. Because this? Didn’t feel so bad. She slept hard that night. The last thing she saw in her memory before drifting off was a pair of beautiful hazel eyes.

Chapter Eight

“Holy hell. Have you been over to Tangled lately?” Joey asked with her eyes wide, giant fuzzy slippers on her feet, and her mouth agape. She was the last one to arrive in the old barn that evening, and thank God she’d arrived because she was the one who had promised to bring the wine. Luckily, she clutched two bottles, always in favor of variety. It was their friend night to kick back and chill, push aside anything too pressing with regard to the business, and unwind. With their usual meeting spot now under construction, they’d chosen the old barn as the next best location for flicks.

“Are you wearing pajamas?” Madison asked, squinting. “Why are you wearing pajamas? It’s not even eight.”

“No. Just fuzzy pink slippers. Brenda Anne got them in at the Nifty Nickel and said half the town is wearing them, and that means I had to give them a flex.” She lifted one bunny-clad foot, and Gabriella grinned in appreciation.

“Those look so comfortable. I’m calling Brenda Anne after this and demanding the hookup. Maddie, you need a pair. We’ll all wear bunny slippers everywhere we go.”

Madison frowned. “Not really a bunny kind of person.”

“Yes, you are,” Joey deadpanned. “Get over yourself.”

That seemed to work, and Madison offered a small smile. “Maybe if they had brown ones. With eyebrows.”

“You’re the weirdest human,” Joey said, perplexed. “But you folks are off topic. The restaurant. Amazing. Picture-perfect. Sleek, yet homey enough to fit in on the grounds.”

“I stopped by this afternoon. They’re doing a killer job. I love it.” Gabriella grinned and her heart swelled. The place wasn’t even open yet, but she was so proud of it she had trouble sleeping. “We could feasibly do a soft open in ten weeks, you know. We’re that close. We’d need the inspections to go through and the permits to process, but Ryan says things move fast in Whisper Wall red tape land.”

“She would know,” Joey said. She blinked rapidly, which signaled her brain had taken off. “Everything would have to line up, but maybe we could link it to our chardonnay release party for the wine club members. Make the VIPs feel special. What do you think?”

Madison nodded. “Would certainly draw attention to both the release and the opening if we paired them.”

Gabriella sat up. “I love the concept of a whole event. We can publicize the hell out of that.”

“And it’s a really good batch,” Madison said, sitting taller. “I can’t take full credit because your dad did most of the work,” she said to Joey, “but damn, the slate minerality slays me with every taste. It’s sophisticated and has lots of personality.”

Joey beamed. “Sounds like Becca.”

“Me?”

“Baby. You’re here.” Becca stood in the doorway, still wearing her work clothes and a smile, looking gorgeous as always. Joey’s eyes sparkled at the sight.

“Saw the note on the counter and didn’t want to miss whatever this is you’re doing in bunny slippers,” Becca said, studying Joey’s feet. “You’ve never been sexier.” The two exchanged a kiss.

“We’ll need to get you a pair,” Gabriella said. “I’m ready for the dish. You always hear the best gossip at that resort. Well, you and Loretta. What do you have for us?”

Becca nodded. “What can I say? When people relax, they like to talk. A lot.”

“You can’t sit in this dusty barn in those.” Joey looked aghast and gestured at the room and then at Becca’s expensive, probably designer, suit.

Becca ignored her and took a spot on the floor next to Joey, her back against a bale of hay. “Can, too. Dry cleaning is a booming business for a reason. I’m a hearty patron.”

“Only you would unwind in a Chanel suit and rock it like a boss,” Madison said with a laugh into her glass. “I like your style, Crawford. I want to