Page 75 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

“I’m afraid to ask what that means.”

“A lot of groveling, maybe even some bribery, and possibly, a grand gesture.”

“He’s not my girlfriend.”

“No, he’s Pike. He isn’t like us.” Nick arched a brow. “Speaking of girlfriend, what is going on with the woman in question?”

“She’s not speaking to me either.”

“It is so weird after all these years to realize you’re human and not a man-droid,” Nick deadpanned.

“Dick.”

“It’s Nick, actually. Come on. Let’s go to the gym and see if we can’t track down our wayward friend and make amends.”

Anthony flipped off the lights and grabbed his gym bag from behind the counter. He followed Nick out the door and locked up, carrying his stuff over his shoulder as they headed down the street to the gym.

Nick opened the door and went in ahead of Anthony, whose gaze immediately locked on Brodie and Delilah talking and smiling. When she glanced over and caught him watching, she held out her hand to Brodie, who took it with a smarmy grin. Anthony’s hackles went up and Nick glanced over his shoulder.

“Bro, did you just growl?”

Delilah took the long way around the gym edge and exited the front door. Anthony handed Nick his bag. “I’ll be right back.”

Anthony followed Delilah out the door, calling out her name. She didn’t turn around but he caught up in half a dozen strides, pulling her into the alleyway between buildings.

“What are you doing?” she snapped.

“I want to know what you were talking to Brodie about.”

“None of your business.”

“Maybe not, but I still want to know.” Anthony caged her in with his arms against the building, bending down to catch her eye, but she wouldn’t look at him. “Delilah … ” he dragged out her name and her chin rose, her blue eyes flashing defiantly.

“What?”

“Why were you talking to Brodie?”

She huffed. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I asked him for snowboarding lessons.”

“The fuck you did.”

“I asked around about snowboarding and he said he’d teach me.”

“Why didn’t you ask me? I do this for a living.”

“You’re joking, right? I’m giving you what you wanted. You wanted time to fix things with Pike and I’m giving you that.”

“Except this feels more like a punishment.” Anthony bent low, his lips resting against her ear. “Don’t you miss me, Lila?”

“Don’t,” she whispered.

“I’ve laid awake the last two nights missing you. Your scent. Your laugh. Your body pressed against mine.”

Her breath hitched when his mouth traveled along her jaw, hovering over her mouth. “Tell me.”

“What?”

“That you don’t think about us.”