Page 14 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

He’d flipped the truck around in the next turnout and taken her home. At a young age, he learned that lies were like poison; no matter how small, they led to more significant issues and, ultimately, ended in chaos. If a woman couldn’t be honest about her interests, what else would she lie about?

Brews and Chews Bar and Grill was packed to the gills like every other Saturday night, with a live band playing a rowdy rendition of Hard Workin’ Man. Men and women were already on the dance floor, circling each other like they were practicing a mating dance. A table of women smiled at their group as they passed by, but the only one who acknowledged them was Pike.

“Looking lovely tonight, ladies.”

A couple of them giggled, and Anthony shook his head, knowing Pike would eventually make his way over there and try to drag Anthony along. While he wasn’t opposed to connecting with someone, he wasn’t looking for a one-night stand or a casual fling, the usual goal of people meeting in bars.

They’d scored a table by the hallway that led to the back exit to the patio and spontaneous bursts of cold air rushed down his spine every time someone stepped outside to smoke. Pike was at the bar with Nick, getting drinks while Anthony listened to Declan talk about his recent trip to visit his parents in Arizona.

“Dad’s doing great. I was worried that the change in scenery might mess him up but heading south for the winter agrees with him. My mom says his doctor is surprised; he’d expected his dementia to progress faster than it has. She is convinced it’s all the supplements she’s been feeding him and that they’ve cut out processed food, but who knows?”

“Some things can’t be explained,” Clark said. “Merry thinks the power of positive thinking can overcome anything.”

“Is that a Winters thing?” Declan asked, grinning conspiratorially. “Holly is the same way.”

Clark and Declan had been indoctrinated into their friend group via their relationships with Nick’s sisters. Anthony liked the two men regardless of how they came to be there. Clark was the Winters Family Tree Farm’s foreman, and Declan had been pursuing his art and selling items online. It was thanks to Declan that Pike and Anthony were able to open up Adventures in Mistletoe at all. If he hadn’t closed down his family’s hardware store when his dad retired and sold the building, they would still be waiting for a space to open up in town.

However, he was tired of hearing about their women and opted to change the subject. “Where’s your brother tonight, Clark?”

“At the tattoo shop until eleven. He might swing by after, but he wasn’t sure if he’d have company later.”

Declan chuckled. “Did Merry ask him to do the bachelor auction yet?”

And they were back to talking about women. Worse, one of the many events he needed to talk to Pike about. He’d started going through everything Merry asked them to contribute and participate in during lulls in the day, and they would be over a grand in the hole if Pike had his way. Some of the buy links to intricate ornaments his partner had sent him were almost fifty bucks a piece! On top of that, parading men on stage like cattle for the town to bid? It was a wasted day when he could take people out on the mountain for money instead of spending an awkward evening with the highest bidder.

“She did ask him, and Sam told her no, but then Holly got after him.” Clark grinned when Declan shot him a dark look. “Hey, don’t get pissed at me. I can’t help that my brother has a soft spot for your girl.”

Anthony tuned out the band at the mention of Holly’s name, which turned his thoughts back to Delilah. While he’d been irritated with her and himself after their kiss last December, he appreciated her authenticity. She didn’t care about putting on a bunch of makeup to lure a man in under the illusion of perfection or conforming to the world’s idea of how women should dress and act to attract a man. Being partnered with her on the scavenger hunt had been natural, and he’d let his guard down, forgetting she wasn’t emotionally available when she’d kissed him. He’d wanted to do more than kissing and petting, dying to strip her down and bury himself in her soft heat.

Only the aftermath flashed through his brain; he’d stopped it before it went too far. Even if she hadn’t been hung up on Pike for half her life, she was best friends with Nick’s little sister. Mistletoe was small enough without dipping into their friend group, and by extension, making future events awkward and uncomfortable. All they’d done was kiss, and she wouldn’t even say hello when she saw him—this morning had been the most words she’d uttered to him in almost a year.

“I’m telling you, Sam will get punched in the soft spot if he doesn’t get a girlfriend soon,” Declan grumbled. “Between the shop, Sam, and Delilah, I gotta make an appointment to get Holly alone.”

“Ooof, word of advice from an old married man,” Clark said, grinning. “Never say anything negative about their best friend. It’s the fastest way to end up on the couch.”

Declan sighed. “I like Delilah, but I want to have coffee with my girlfriend without her showing up.” Declan rubbed his hands over his face. “Shit, I sound like an asshole.”

“You sound human,” Anthony said, joining in the conversation. “Believe me, I like my space, and if someone kept popping up and invading it without an invitation, I’d be over it, too.”

“What I need is for Delilah and your brother”—Declan punctuated the words with a scathing look shot Clark’s way—“to find people to occupy them.”

“It will take a miracle to get Sam to settle down,” Clark said.

“What about you, Anthony?” Declan asked.

“I’m not interested in Sam.” Anthony smirked. “Thanks, though.”

Clark laughed while Declan threw a straw wrapper at him. “I mean, are you dating anyone special?”

“Not at the moment.”

“Perfect. Wanna take Delilah out?”

Anthony froze. “No, man, I’m not going to take Delilah off your hands like I’m a fucking babysitter.”

“Whoa,” Clark said, holding his hands in a time-out. “Calm down there, sparky.”

“No, he’s right,” Declan said, holding his hand out for Anthony to shake. “I’m sorry, man. That was a douche thing to suggest.”