Page 39 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

“Of course. That’s what besties do.”

A chorus of “Bye, Delilah” resounded from the room, and she gave another little wave.

“I’ll walk you out,” Pike said, getting to his feet.

“Oh–okay.” She caught Anthony’s gaze accidentally, but he wasn’t smiling. He watched Pike round the couch and reach her side with what could only be described as a resigned expression.

Pike grabbed the front door and held it for her, calling back over his shoulder. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

Holly caught her gaze, eyes wide, and she mouthed something that looked like, Oh my God.

Holly probably thought she was jumping out of her skin at Pike’s interest instead of her stomach twisting with uneasy stress. If Pike asked her out again, and she told him no outside the Winters’ home, would he walk back inside, vocalizing his disappointment to everyone?

She did not want to be responsible for a scene like that.

Delilah stepped over the threshold and down the steps, slowing down for him to catch up. “What’s up?”

“I just wanted a chance to talk before you took off. It was crowded in there.”

“It always is when the family gets together.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough.” Pike suddenly got ahead of her, stopping in her path. “I know you’ve got places to go, but I need to get this out there. I want to make plans with you before another man beats me to the punch.”

That sounded like spending time with her was a game he wanted to win, and her irritation boiled to the surface. “Why are you suddenly interested in me, Pike? I mean, why now? I wasn’t exactly subtle in my adoration all these years.”

His mouth flopped open for several seconds before he started stammering. “I mean, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment—”

“Come on, be honest.”

“I am! You’ve always been an attractive woman, but I guess if I had to give you a reason, you caught my attention that night at Brews. You walked in, and it was like seeing you for the first time.”

Delilah laughed bitterly. “Do you understand how insulting that is? I mooned after you for years. I’ve been the same size for at least ten of them, so it’s not that I lost weight or something. All this pursuit is because of a dress?”

Pike’s eyes widened, as if this was the last reaction he’d expected, but how could he not have thought through every scenario after waiting so long?

“I’m confused,” he said, running a hand over his beard. “Did you not wear that dress because you wanted attention?”

“Technically, yes—”

“Then why are you mad at me for giving you what you wanted?” Pike interjected.

“Because it’s superficial!” She exploded, her emotions outpouring like lava from a volcano. “You don’t know anything about me. You liked how I looked Saturday night, but can you tell me a single fact about myself that makes you think, ‘Wow, I want to pursue that girl?’”

“I–you’re a good dancer.”

“I took dance classes until seventh grade, so fantastic observation,” Delilah said, refusing to dial back her sarcasm. “Anything else?”

Pike seemed befuddled and finally said, “I need a minute.”

“You take all the time you need,” Delilah said, wondering why she was so angry at Pike. He liked the way she looked. That was what she wanted, right? “I’ve had men who weren’t interested in me romantically, but they didn’t disregard me as a person. You barely spoke to me in all the years that you’ve known me. You wrote me off until you liked the way I looked.”

“No, I just thought of you as a kid!” He glanced at the house, lowering his voice when he continued, “You were the best friend of Nick’s little sister. I was graduating high school when you were just starting. You went away to college for four years and came back when I was with someone. It took me a long time to get over my first love, and now I am ready to find something real. There hasn’t been a time for us until now.”

“Except I’m not feeling it, Pike,” Delilah whispered, sadness twisting in her chest. She couldn’t believe she was saying this. This was everything she’d dreamed of since she was twelve!

“Are you sure?” Pike stepped into her and brought his hand up above their heads, holding a sprig of mistletoe. “Should we put this to the test to be sure?”

Delilah laughed. “Why do you have mistletoe in your pocket?”