Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,47
this sounded. Near date caliber. Was she prepared to open this door officially?
Ryan watched her as she contemplated. “Okay, you’re not saying anything, and now my fragile ego has crept back in place.” She rocked back on her heels in overexaggerated anticipation. “You can say no. I will be devastated but understand.”
“When is the event?”
“Tomorrow night at seven.”
A pause. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Ryan blinked and squinted as if waiting for the catch. There wasn’t one. She’d decided to go for it. The event sounded like something she’d love, and there would likely be lots of people from town there. Spending time with Ryan was a bonus she didn’t let herself get hung up on because honestly it was the biggest lure.
Gabriella raised a shoulder, trying to keep things light. “I figure if we can make out in rainy parking lots, we can certainly grab a drink together. See you tomorrow, Ryan,” Gabriella said, handing off the broom as she passed. With a hearty pat to Dale, who lifted his head in gratitude before retiring to his sun slumber, Gabriella headed home.
Excited.
Nervous.
But also excited some more. She closed her eyes and smiled as she walked the winding path home. Her heart was reaching, that was for sure, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to get in its way.
Chapter Ten
Truth or Dare was already packed when Ryan arrived at five minutes to seven. She wasn’t one to show up to social occasions early, but she made the extra effort because tonight felt like a big deal. She’d changed her outfit three times because all of a sudden she apparently owned nothing she liked. Also a new development. Her stomach squeezed uncomfortably as she watched the crowd, prompting her to roll her shoulders to release the pent-up nervous energy as she scanned the room for any sign of Gabriella. She hoped she’d like the event, and that they’d have fun. Lots of familiar faces had come out to the launch, but no sign of Gabriella yet. That was good. Ryan could figure out how to relax and be a regular human being before she arrived.
The bar, which had only been open a handful of months, was pretty swanky for Whisper Wall. Leather-backed booths flanked the perimeter, with a large open space at the back of the room for mingling, wine, and cocktails. That’s where the action of the event was tonight.
“Hey there, Ryan Jacks,” Monty Murphy said in his crisp white shirt and jeans.
She grinned and gave him a squeeze. As one of the two cowboys who owned the Moon and Stars Ranch, he did a lot for the town’s dog population, fostering and placing them in the best homes. She beamed, always happy to see the cowboys. “So they’ll just let anybody in this place?”
“Well, we heard you were going to be here, so we snuck in. Plus, I need a quote for a new shed.”
She laughed. “You never stop the work out there, do you?” She’d put in a deck for him and his partner, Stephen, a few months prior. She’d always liked those guys, especially since they were the ones responsible for bringing Dale into her life. Gay cowboys on a ranch, fostering rescue dogs? Easy to like.
“We’re a work in progress. Oh, and you got a date looking around for you,” he said, gesturing vaguely over his shoulder to the bustling room.
That sent a bolt of energy. “Thanks. I guess I better find her.”
“Which one is it tonight?” Stephen asked, joining them with a gleam in his eye. He was the cheeky one, prone to teasing.
Ryan could handle it. “No, no. Not like that.”
“No?” Monty asked, intrigued.
She shook her head and brought her tone down to sincere. “I’m slowing down a bit, and maybe that’s a good thing.” It was a boring answer and went against her reputation, which people tended to have fun with, using it to clap her on the back or tease her.
His smile faded a tad. “Well, good for you. I think that’s pretty awesome.”
“It is,” Stephen said and raised his glass in her direction. “The new Ry.”
She made a yikes face. “I guess so. For now, I better go find my date. Can I bring Dale by soon to roughhouse with your pack?”
“We’d love it. Maybe we can hear more about the changes you mentioned too. I’ll grill some steaks.”
“Cool. See you soon,” she said with a nod and set out to find Gabriella, which proved much harder than she’d anticipated.