Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,99

and grinned. “I would never want you to think so. I adore you—you know that, right? You’re my family.”

“There’s the Ryan I know. Where you been?”

“You ever just need some time away, Pats? When the world just seems to suck so hard that you need to hide out until you can hit reset?”

“Only happened to me once, and that was when Dennis Davidson broke my heart. I thought I’d never be the same again.” She paused with a cold one in her hand for a guy down the bar. “Now that I think about it, I never was. We come out of those things different people.”

Ryan raised her longneck. “Can’t argue with that.”

“She’s here, you know. If that matters.”

“Who?”

“Your Dennis Davidson. But definitely prettier. What else can I get for you, sweetie pie with cute freckles?” Patsy asked a customer down the bar as she delivered that beer to his friend.

Ryan, through her three—almost four—beer haze, took a moment to register Patsy’s meaning. When she did, she turned in her chair and scanned the place, something she hadn’t done in over an hour. Thank God, there was no sign of Gabriella, because she wasn’t sure she was ready to face—

“Ryan.” She turned to her right, and there she was, inches away, looking and smelling amazing as she leaned against the bar, signaling for service. The world began to move at a different speed. So did Ryan’s brain as it stutter-stepped its way to a response.

“Hey. I wasn’t expecting—What are you up to?” The gorgeous hazel eyes that haunted Ryan were staring back at her, live and in person, making this much harder than she anticipated. As if programmed to do so, everything in Ryan lit up with excitement the second Gabriella had appeared. It had been an alarming reflex, and when reality crashed in, the disappointment was every bit as jarring.

“Up to? Just a beer,” Gabriella said, cool, calm, and unaffected. She wore a purple sleeveless top and jeans molded to her perfect curves. “Maddie and Joey’s friends are in town.” She pointed across the bar to a high-top table where Joey, Becca, Madison, and an attractive brunette Ryan had never seen before sat. A second later, Carly Daniel arrived at the table. Shit. She’d not returned Carly’s message that she was in town and would love to get together. Her good friend from childhood kissed the lips of the brunette, which meant she’d brought Lauren along. Another happy couple. Wonderful. She’d try to find the courage to say hello in a bit.

“Looks like fun. How are you?” Ryan asked. Another reflex. She had to know.

“Me?” Gabriella produced a winsome smile. “Never been better. Honestly, life is good.” She gestured to the beer in Ryan’s hand. “You enjoy, now.” Patsy appeared, and Gabriella ordered a round for the table, and behind Ryan, where the group of friends had gathered, life went on without her. She took in every laugh and raised voice that floated over. The group was having a fantastic time. She wondered how long until Gabriella and Madison decided they should give things another try. Good for them. Didn’t mean Ryan had to sit around and wait to see proof. She decided to call Carly later and apologize, closed out, and stood to head home, only to find herself face-to-face with Lana McCarver.

“Well, look who’s here. Been a while,” she said quietly to Ryan. Her gaze carried compassion. “How are you? I heard about the whole thing with the chef. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, Lana. I’m fine.” She wasn’t. Not even close, but she was working on finding her footing. It had been a tad easier before Gabriella appeared live and in person to remind her exactly what she’d given up.

“You don’t look it. You’ve lost weight and your eyes are dull. That’s okay, though.” This was not the Lana who was looking to flirt or hook up. This was Lana, her friend, and she appreciated the difference because she could use a friend about now. “I was worried about you but also didn’t want to reach out if you didn’t want to hear from me. These things can be tricky.”

“You should have called. I’d have picked up.” It would have been nice to have a friend to confide in. Sure, there’d been Billy to an extent, but he got uncomfortable when things got too heavy. She’d avoided her own mother, because she likely thought Ryan was a bonehead for not fighting for Gabriella and would tell her so in