Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,48
said in her ear from behind. A cocktail, what Ryan imagined to be the Ginger Snap Smash, snaked around in front of her. She accepted the drink and turned, already knowing it wasn’t Gabriella. She’d planned to wait, so they could try the drink together, but actually, a little fortification first might calm her nerves.
“Hi, Heather.”
“Hey, there,” Heather said in her trying-to-be-sexy voice. Her blond hair, roots showing, was extra wild and curly tonight as if she was making a statement. She wore a black cocktail dress and stilettos. Well, okay. She knew who she was dealing with. Heather Leonard had two speeds. Regular Heather and Flirtatious Heather. It was clear who’d come to play tonight. Her boobs had as well, as she’d pushed the girls up and put them on display with a neckline that didn’t mess around. She averted her eyes from the show, focusing purposely on Heather’s face.
She squeezed Ryan’s hand. “You’ve been MIA lately, and trust me, I’ve been looking.”
“It’s been crazy. Work is busy, and I’ve been going straight home.” She took a long sip of the cocktail, which was pretty amazing. Refreshing with a kick. So she took another drink. Strong, too. “How have you been?” It was a polite thing to say. Heather was a CPA, and that meant she was just coming off her busy season and likely looking for a little fun and relaxation. Ryan was one of her favorite diversions, but that simply wasn’t going to happen. In fact, she was shocked how little interest she had.
“I’ve been able to breathe again,” Heather said. “Thank God.”
Ryan quirked her head. “What do you mean?” Another sip of the cocktail, which she would definitely be having another of because this one was gone. She scanned the room anxiously for Gabriella. Instead of relaxing her, the alcohol had her even more convinced that tonight was high stakes. She cared about how it went more than she’d allowed herself to reflect on fully. She just craved time with Gabriella. It’s all she’d thought about all day. Her stomach felt off, though, and her cheeks warm. Wait. There she was. Gabriella was making her way into the open section near the bar. The cowboys must have assumed Heather was her date. She tracked Gabriella, who stopped to speak to Clementine, looking like the breath of fresh air she was. Dark jeans, brown booties with a heel, and a sleeveless white blouse. Classy, sexy, everything. Ryan caught herself smiling automatically because the night just got better.
“Remember my dad?” Heather yanked her back to the conversation. “The one I don’t really talk to? Passed away this week, out of nowhere. It brought up a lot of unresolved emotions for me, you know? I’ve been struggling with these battling feelings.”
Ryan’s attention swiveled back to Heather and her proclamation because it was awful and unexpected. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
“And because I freaked out and didn’t call in while we’re in the middle of busy season, they put me on probation at work, and it feels like I’m being watched like a hawk.”
“Oh, that’s terrible,” Ryan said, downing the rest of her drink. Heather signaled for another one, which wasn’t ideal because she had a date to get to and didn’t have time for another with Heather. A stolen glance at Gabriella and she saw her speaking with the cowboys, laughing along at some joke. Gabriella turned and caught Ryan’s gaze across the bar and smiled and waved four fingers in greeting. Ryan raised her drink and smiled back. But Heather was still talking. No, emoting. She went on about how gutted she was that she’d not reached out to her father before he died, and how she felt like the world was moving against her now. Ryan nodded, and the minutes ticked by. She was halfway through her second Smash and feeling the heady results. The room seemed too small, and she could no longer see Gabriella through the throng of loud, talkative people, shoulder to shoulder. She absently realized that Heather had a hand on her waist as she talked, no, shouted above the din. The whole night had gone wildly off the rails.
“God, I’m just so glad you came tonight. I had a feeling you would, and that you would understand all of this.” She placed a kiss on Ryan’s cheek, which made her wince. “You’re a good listener, sweetheart.”
She took a step back, reclaiming control. “I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time.