Page 93 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

Holly shrugged, reaching out to take Delilah’s hand. “I don’t want my best friend to leave me so I’ve been doing my own research.”

Delilah tugged Holly off the table and hugged her, grateful that this sweet, wonderful woman was her person. “Thank you.”

“Like I said, I’m selfish and can’t live without you.” Holly pulled back, squeezing Delilah’s shoulders. “We will figure something out. You’ll see.”

“Hey!” Delilah’s heart lurched, recognizing Anthony’s voice. She turned and watched him cross the community center, dressed in a button down with his hair wet and swept back off his forehead. He must have gone home to take a shower while she finished and the fact that he cleaned up for her kicked her pulse into high gear. Was he ready to forgo his vow and take the next step with her?

She almost scoffed aloud at her wishful thinking. They’d agreed to slow, yet here she was rushing him in her mind.

Holly stepped back when Anthony reached them, allowing him to slip an arm around Delilah’s waist and kiss her cheek. “Ready to go?”

“Yep.” She smiled at her bestie, hoping Holly recognized how much her support meant to Delilah. “Thanks again, Hol.”

“Always, babe. You two have fun.”

Anthony squeezed her against him. “I hope so.”

“Oh, girl,” Holly laughed, backing away from them. “Enjoy.”

Delilah shook her head. “She is so transparent.”

“No,” Anthony said, leaning over to kiss her neck. A sizzle of heat zigzagged down her spine in response to the warm brush of his lip and her eyes closed. “She just understands that I’m anxious to get you alone.”

Chapter Twenty-five

When you said that you wanted to get me alone, this wasn’t exactly what I pictured.”

Anthony grinned as he opened up the driver’s side door, the dome light coming on to illuminate Delilah’s skeptical expression. “Have you ever been axe throwing before?”

“No,” Delilah drawled, her gaze fluctuating between the target and Anthony, “but that’s only because I prefer all my extremities attached.”

“I promise, you won’t lose so much as a baby toe and you’ll have fun.” He opened the door to the stall and added, “Trust me,” before closing the door. He was still full and happy from the bag of tacos they’d shared after leaving the community center. The converted equestrian center had been remodeled and renamed Ax’s and O’s. It had opened over the summer and become a favorite activity for his friend group. The owners had built up the walls of the horse stalls and turned them into the target areas. Anthony didn’t trust himself to be alone with her and figured this would be a tension relieving activity, with the added benefit for laughter and getting to know each other better.

Delilah walked to the edge of the stall with a limp and Anthony frowned. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just landed wrong when I jumped out of the truck,” she said, rubbing her hip.

Anthony chuckled. “Aw, man. I might have to get a shorter truck.”

“Hey now, don’t you start making fun of my height!” she protested, giving him a playful push.

“Hell, no, I like you just the way you are.”

Delilah’s bright smile flashed. “I feel the same about you.”

Anthony took her hand, lacing his fingers between hers, and lifted it to his mouth to kiss it.

“Since you haven’t done this before, do you want me to demonstrate?” he asked, releasing her hand to pick up the closest axe, which sported a red handle.

“Sure,” she said, releasing him to lean against the wall. “Show me your skills, Viking warrior.”

Anthony chuckled. “Are you trying to turn me on?”

“Being called a Viking gets you hot?” She giggled, an incredulous expression on her face. “Weird, but okay.”

Anthony cupped the back of her neck and leaned down, hovering his mouth over hers. “Everything you do makes me hot, Lilah.”

“Then why are we here instead of back at my place?” Delilah whispered, her hands gripping his waist.