Page 105 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

H.G. Yearly

Snow Cap Property Management

How could this be happening now? Things were starting to look up. She’d sent her manuscript to her friend Erica, who worked at Holly’s shop and was an English major. She’d bought a program for her computer that would format the book for publication. She’d even paid for a gorgeous premade cover she’d discovered on Etsy, which fit the story to a T.

And then there was Anthony.

But after the accident and the altercation on Saturday, she’d been sitting in urgent care waiting to be seen when she’d gotten a text from her friend at the middle school and discovered substitute teachers were losing two dollars in pay starting January 1. The school district had some surplus incentive pay to get more subs, but the money would run out in the new year. It was one more sign the universe was against her staying in Mistletoe, and Delilah had been prepared to accept the truth, no matter how much it hurt.

When Anthony told Delilah how he felt, it was like a light had gone on inside. All her doubts and frustrations over the last few weeks disappeared. Delilah stopped looking at the problems as signs and decided that if she wanted a future with Anthony, if she wanted to help him build that house and fill those kids’ rooms, she needed to stop being such a defeatist and fight for what she wanted.

The first thing she’d done Saturday after Anthony dropped her off, after a much needed nap, was to finish the snowboarding article and send it to Outside Magazine. She attached an email thanking them for their job offer but informing them that she couldn’t accept it.

Maybe Delilah was crazy to turn down an opportunity that would keep her afloat, but being without Holly, her town, and the man he loved? It just didn’t make any sense.

Anthony had stopped by every night after work to hold her and kiss her while they both healed, telling her about all the things they could do to make his house theirs. They’d argued over plates and couches until she’d slipped her hand into his pants and caressed him, making him close his eyes as he arched into her hand.

“This is unfair.”

“When you want something, I’ll let you torture me with your tongue.”

“Mmm, fine. We can get the floral plates.”

Delilah hadn’t left him hanging, bringing him to paradise slow and gentle with her mouth. They’d already been anticipating their first official time together happening after the bachelor auction on Friday night and Delilah had ordered a special surprise to wear under her dress.

She stared down at the letter and crumpled it into a ball, tossing it against the wall with a feral yell. Leia hopped off the couch with her ears back, staring from the ball of paper to her mama in terrified confusion.

“I’m sorry, baby. Mom’s having a bad day.”

Leia turned around and trotted outside, obviously afraid Delilah might lose her shit again.

Delilah had been utilizing the power of positivity in order to make herself believe that she could stay here, but this? She had nowhere to go. She’d been checking for months, looking for a cheaper place to rent but the prices kept going up, not down. The only way she could afford to stay in Mistletoe was to ask Holly if she could move in with her and Declan for a bit, and she couldn’t imagine her bestie’s boyfriend loving that idea.

And while Anthony had looped Delilah into his dream home, it was so early in their relationship, she couldn’t ask that of him. She shouldn’t want to. Moving in with a man after three weeks was something that she would have never considered. His home was at least six months away from being built, so that would mean staying in his tiny trailer with him and her dog. He’d boot them out in a week.

Maybe you should at least ask his opinion. He could be excited about it.

Or he’d think she was a desperate mooch trying to sponge off him.

Delilah got off the couch and slipped on her Hey Dudes. She put Leia into her kennel before she left. Delilah couldn’t stay in the house and stew for another minute, or she would lose her mind.

Once she climbed into her car, Delilah dialed her mom, who picked up on the first ring. “Hello, Delilah?”

“Hi, Mom.” She couldn’t stop her voice from catching on a sob and prayed that her mom hadn’t heard it.

“What’s wrong?” her mom questioned, knowing something was off just like all moms do.

“Why does something have to be wrong?” Delilah sniffed, starting her car and waiting for the call to switch over to her Bluetooth. When it finally did, Delilah put her phone in the cup holder and added, “Can’t I just call you to say hi?”

“I know when there is something wrong; I’ve been your mother for many years.”

“And not just my whole life? Weird.” Delilah wasn’t sure where she was headed, but a drive might help her clear her head. That, and a little vent session with her mom.

“Spill it, child. You called me for a reason.”

Delilah sighed, struggling with how to start. “I don’t know, Mom. I just—” Delilah paused, realizing she should set some ground rules before her mother went off on a tangent that would put her in a worse mood than she was in before. “Can I preface this conversation by asking that you not use this as an opportunity to tell me I should move to Boise or that I should get a more reliable job?”

“Delilah, I won’t do that. I hope you know that I only want you closer to me because I miss you.”