Page 54 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

“Yeah, no problem. I appreciate that she saved me a ton of money in gas. My truck takes over a hundred to fill up and does not get great gas mileage.”

“You should switch it out for a hybrid SUV,” Bernard said, adjusting his glasses. “Best thing I ever did.”

“Unfortunately, I need the truck for my business.”

“What kind of business are you in?” Bernard asked.

“I run a sports equipment and experience shop called Adventures in Mistletoe with my business partner. We take tourists out hiking, snowmobiling, and quad-riding on trails. We’re working on buying a boat for water sports, but we’ve only been operational for nine months.”

“I bet that does well up there,” Natalia said.

“So far, so good.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Delilah said.

“It was nice to meet you both.” Anthony held out his hand to Bernard and accepted another hug from Natalia. Leia trotted after Delilah and him as they headed for the door, so Anthony squatted down. Leia placed her paws on his knee, standing up on her back legs. She stopped panting as he rubbed her ears. “See you later, Leia.”

She dropped her feet as he stood, and they exited the house side by side, silent for several steps.

“Sorry you had to hear that,” Delilah said.

“Hey, you know all about my family drama. Seems only fair I should get a glimpse of yours.”

“My mom doesn’t see writing as a real job, even though I can pay my bills every month. In her mind, it’s a hobby if you aren’t leaving the house for a certain length of time.” Delilah laughed. “I’d love her to tell that to someone like Stephen King.”

“I’m making it sound simple when I say this, but it’s not her life. Just because she doesn’t think it’s a job doesn’t mean she’s right. You just have to prove her wrong.”

“That’s the goal.” Delilah gave him a saucy grin before adding, “If I were taller, I’d kiss your cheek.”

Anthony leaned down to give her access, whispering in her ear, “If your dad weren’t watching, I’d give you a lot more than that.”

She pressed her lips to his cheek, her mouth trembling with suppressed laughter. “I think you’re going to be a bad influence on me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, whistling as he rounded the front of her car.

“Let me know when you make it there, okay?”

“I will. See you Sunday?” Anthony asked, leaning on the top of her car, watching her.

“I hope so, since you have my car.”

Anthony chuckled as he climbed into the Subaru. He set up the GPS and connected his phone to her car so he could make hands-free calls. Then Anthony pulled away from the curb, watching her in the mirror until he turned the corner. His first call would be to Pike because he’d called and texted Anthony several times that morning. Guilt ate at him for not telling Pike last night about what had happened between Delilah and himself, but he’d already been tipsy when Anthony arrived at the bar. Anthony couldn’t imagine Pike being receptive to his friend wanting to date Delilah when he was sober, let alone three drinks in.

If Anthony had known she wasn’t interested in Pike anymore, he would have told Pike days ago that he had a thing for her, and Pike would have backed off, but Anthony had thought she was still carrying a torch.

But wanting to clear things up wasn’t the only reason he wanted to talk to his best friend. Anthony was afraid if he was left alone with his thoughts too long, he might chicken out and skip his father’s house for whatever diner was open holidays.

The call went out with rapid beeps, then rang twice.

“Finally. Where have you been?”

“Driving to Boise.”

“Why?” Pike asked.

“I decided to take my old man up on his offer and join them for Thanksgiving.”

“You mean I gotta go to the Winters’ Thanksgiving hungover and alone? Do you know how depressing it is to be the only single guy in a room full of happy couples?”