Page 62 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

Delilah grabbed the game from the closet, keeping one ear on their conversation.

“Usually we invite Delilah’s aunt and uncle over to play, but they traveled to Salt Lake City to visit their son for the holiday. You showing up worked out perfectly.”

“Glad I could help,” he said.

She sat back down and let her dad help her set up the board while her mom explained the rules. After one round, it was obvious that Delilah and Anthony made a really good team, but it was after round two that her mom called foul.

“Alright, you two need to be separated! You are too good together.”

Delilah blushed, avoiding Anthony’s gaze as she set up for one more round. Anthony looked down at his phone and after a moment’s hesitation said, “I’m sorry, I need to take this.”

“No problem, I’m getting tired anyway,” her mom said.

When the front door opened and closed behind Anthony, her mother leaned across the table and whispered, “You didn’t tell me that Pike and Anthony were business partners.”

“It’s not relevant.”

“So you really aren’t interested in Pike and using his friend to get his attention?”

“No, Mom. If I’d wanted to date Pike, I could have. He asked me out yesterday and I told him no.”

“Why?”

“Because I realized that Pike was an infatuation and Anthony is someone that I could have real feelings for.”

Her mother sat quietly for several moments, watching her thoughtfully before nodding. “Well, he seems quite taken with you. I notice that when you speak, he watches you like he wants to truly absorb everything you say.”

“Mom, that’s weird.”

“I think it’s romantic.”

“Him staring at me and trying to absorb my words sounds creepy.”

“He seems like a good egg to me, although I’ve been fooled before,” her dad said.

“Stop!”

The door opened again and Anthony walked into the room and sat down. “Everything okay?” Delilah asked.

“It’s fine,” Anthony said, but Delilah could tell he was distracted.

Her mom seemed to pick up on the tension and yawned dramatically. “We were just saying it’s probably time to call it a night.”

“Yeah, we can’t keep up with you kids,” Delilah’s dad said.

They both got up from the table and her mom kissed her on top of the head. “Good night, sweetheart. Sleep well, Anthony.”

“Thanks, you, too.”

Her dad held his hand out to Anthony. “Good night.”

“Good night, sir.”

When it was just the two of them, Delilah watched him, noticing the knitted forehead.

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong or do I need to beat it out of you?”

Anthony shared a weak smile with her and it made her heart ache for him. “Maybe in the morning? I don’t have the energy for anything but sleep tonight.”