Page 73 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

“Then nope, sorry, I’m busy that day.”

Delilah released her hands with an exasperated huff. “You don’t even know what day.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’m not going to let you run away.”

“Even if it ends up being what’s best for me?” Delilah asked.

“I’ll make you a deal. See how the conversation with that editor plays out and if you really feel like this would be a good change for you, I’ll drive the U-Haul.”

Chapter Twenty

Flipping Holly,” Delilah grumbled as she grabbed bags of chocolate and dropped them into her cart. She’d gotten the text from her bestie, asking Delilah if she would be willing to host book club since the traffic around Evergreen Circle, where Holly lived, was ridiculous this time of year. Still, why had Delilah been her first choice to have a bunch of local women over to eat, drink, and talk about smut?

Holly could have asked her parents or even Merry, but no, Delilah was going to get stuck with fifty million people eating and drinking in her tiny duplex because she couldn’t say no.

Suddenly, someone rounded the corner, and nearly crashed into Delilah’s cart.

“Sorry about that,” Pike said, stiffening when his eyes met hers.

Well, this isn’t awkward at all.

“My fault.” Delilah stared up at him, nodding. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

Pike’s gaze traveled over the contents of her cart. “Looks like you’re having a party.”

“Book club,” Delilah said, rolling her eyes. “Don’t ask me how I got roped into hosting. It was supposed to be Holly’s bag, but with the light displays on Evergreen, she was afraid no one would be able to get in.”

“Makes sense,” he said, glancing behind her. “I should let you finish. Enjoy your night.”

Pike started to step around her cart, but she couldn’t let him just walk away. Not when she knew that Anthony and Pike were still at odds.

“Pike,” she called out, and he stopped a few feet from her and turned, waiting. “I am sorry for coming between you and Anthony. You should know that we aren’t … seeing each other anymore.”

Pike shook his head. “When did that happen?”

“About five minutes after your fight on the side of the road.” She cleared her throat. “He loves you, you know? We had a moment, a long time ago, but he didn’t want to get in the way of you and me.”

“So, he said,” running a hand over his beard thoughtfully. “Exactly what did he do to drive you away?”

“He wanted to take a step back with me and fix things with you. I told him that he was trying to fix the barn after the animals got out, but you’re important to him.” Delilah walked over to the cold section and picked up a tub of cookie dough. “You should think about that before you throw away your friendship.”

“Anthony lied to me,” Pike said, his voice tight. “Just because he regrets it now, doesn’t change the fact—”

“Oh, jeez, do you hold yourself to those standards as well?” Delilah said, tossing the tub aggressively into her cart. “Did you ever make a mistake or hurt someone and regret it after the fact? When you tried to make it better, did they forgive you or drop you? Because I seem to remember you saying something idiotic to one of your ex-girlfriends and she never forgave you.”

“Damn, people in this town cannot keep their mouths shut.”

“Pike, I’ve heard you complain about it more than once when you’ve had a few. At first, I felt bad, but right now, you are doing the same thing to Anthony. We have—had feelings for each other and he still chose you. Maybe consider how you would feel if the roles were reversed and Anthony wouldn’t forgive you.”

“If you’re so angry at him, why are you defending him?” Pike asked.

“Because I can’t turn off my feelings as well as you, apparently,” she said, pushing her cart away from him and disappearing down the candy aisle with her heart beating fast.

Why had she stepped in and gone so hard for Anthony? Was it because if Delilah ever lost her best friend over something like that, she’d hope someone would stick their neck out for her.

And maybe, you’re hoping if the two of them patch things up, there might still be a chance for the two of you?

Delilah ignored the voice, grabbing the soda with a grunt. She was not going to hold out hope any longer. It had been almost a year of back and forth, waiting and wondering. She was done hoping that Anthony Russo was the real deal.