Page 74 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

Anthony stood by the shop window on Tuesday, watching the flurries fall to the ground and cover the sidewalk. It was almost closing time and any minute, Nick would pull up so they could head to the gym together, just like yesterday; then Anthony would head home, make dinner, and go to bed. Pike hadn’t been in all day, staying out with clients and answering Anthony’s texts with shorthand responses. He missed his friend.

He ran a hand over his face, wondering how he’d let things spin so far out of control. There were so many moments he could have handled differently, and instead, he’d acted like a self-centered ass.

Like father, like son.

Anthony wasn’t sure why Gregory Russo had been occupying his mind so much. Maybe because he had a better understanding, now, of how incredibly flawed his family truly was. Delilah was right that he was afraid to let new people in, but she was wrong that there wasn’t any room for her.

If he told her how miserable he was without her, would she feel the same?

The front door opened and Holly stepped inside, shaking the thin layer of white snow from her hair and shoulders. Her brown eyes narrowed on him and she pointed. “You!”

Anthony held his hands up and slowly backed away. “Whoa, what’s up?”

“If she comes in here asking for snowboard lessons, you tell her no. You got me?”

“Who, Delilah? Why would she want to learn to snowboard?”

“Because some magazine in Colorado wants her to take a job at their magazine as their plus-size outdoor enthusiast and she’s thinking about taking it.”

“Delilah wants to move to Colorado?”

“No, but she is convinced this is some kind of sign. That all the drama with you and Pike proved that she doesn’t belong here.” Holly crossed her arms over her chest. “I can’t lose my best friend, Ant.”

“What am I supposed to do? I guarantee you that she’s not going to come ask me for lessons. She made it pretty clear that she didn’t want anything to do with me.”

“What about you?”

Anthony shot her a disgruntled look. “I’m not discussing my personal feelings with you, Holly.”

“Why not?”

“Because we’re not that close.” And you’re best friends with the woman I can’t stop thinking about.

“Fine, but if it’s any consolation, I know my bestie. She misses you.”

“I didn’t end things, Holly. She did.”

Holly threw up her hands. “You are both pigheaded turds! Don’t forget about the bachelor meeting after the Festival of Trees on Saturday.”

“I don’t want to do that anymore, Holly.”

“Too bad! It’s for charity! You don’t want to be a Scrooge, do you?”

She walked out the door before he could respond. Anthony pulled his phone out of his pocket and texted Pike. Getting ready to close up.

K.

His jaw clenched at the short response. He hated where they were at but had no idea how to fix it.

Nick came in and waved at Anthony, releasing an exaggerated shiver. “It is freezing, dude. Maybe we skip the gym and head to Brews for a drink or two.”

Anthony shook his head. “I need to work off some of this energy or I’m going to lose my mind.”

“Pike still not talking to you?”

“No. I know I messed up, man, but you’d think he’d at least hear me out.”

“I agree. I think we’re going to have to pull out the big guns for this one,” Nick said, grinning wickedly.