Chapter Two
A nthony could feel the heat of Delilah’s gaze as he carried the coffees to the table and wished he could turn around to witness the full effect of her irritation. After that night at the rental house, she deserved his every needle and poke. He wasn’t one to hold a grudge, but he also didn’t appreciate being used.
He’d tried to let it go at first. After all, they’d both had a few shots, and he’d wanted to chalk it up to Delilah not being able to hold her liquor, but the more Anthony thought about it after the fact, the more hurt he’d been. Anthony channeled that hurt into avoiding and ignoring her when they ran into each other, but that was juvenile, especially since Mistletoe was too small to hide from anyone. Besides, if talking to him made her uncomfortable, that sucked for her. It was one thing to bring up the torch you were carrying for someone else, but to kiss the socks off the best friend of the man you’re pining for?
That was a low he’d never imagined she was capable of.
Anthony had been over that night numerous times, coming at it from every angle, and the only thing that made sense was that Delilah had wanted it to get back to Pike that she’d made out with Anthony. Unfortunately for her, there was no way he’d give her that satisfaction. He’d take that secret to his fucking grave with a smile.
If only Anthony didn’t relive their brief moment together every time he saw that lush, sexy mouth of hers.
As the barista called her name and Delilah stepped forward to retrieve her coffee, smiling, he remembered the jolt of awareness when they’d been sitting on the floor next to each other the night of the scavenger hunt. The way she’d looked at him with that beautiful, bright smile right before she’d kissed him. Her actions had taken him by surprise, but when she’d tried to pull away, he couldn’t let her go. Flashing back to their kiss, he lost himself in the memory, wishing he could regret it.
Delilah opened her lips, and he thrust his tongue inside, tasting Fireball and something sweeter underneath. Anthony deepened the kiss, heat gripping him as he guided her onto his lap with his hands on her hips. She straddled him, the softness between her thighs settling over his straining cock, and his fingers flexed instinctively. When she rocked against him with a little moan, it was the best and worst sensation, and he whispered her name, releasing her hips to tangle his fingers in her hair.
Delilah’s hands slipped under his shirt, resting against his stomach, fingertips tracing the ridges of his abs, painfully close to the button of his jeans.
“Anyone seen Anthony?” Pike yelled from downstairs. “Yo, Anthony! Come on, man, get your ass down here!”
Delilah broke the kiss, her breaths coming in rapid gasps. “Pike’s looking for you.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her he didn’t give a fuck, but staring into her dreamy blue eyes, he remembered something she’d said earlier in the evening when they’d got to talking about relationships. “I’m sure you know I’ve had a crush on Pike forever, but he doesn’t know I exist. It’s pretty sad, really.”
It wasn’t a secret; the Winters siblings and all their friends knew about Delilah’s longtime infatuation with Pike. And when she’d mentioned it offhandedly at the beginning of the night, it hadn’t fazed him.
Hearing her say another man’s name with the heat of her pussy burning a hole in the front of his jeans? It was like sticking his dick in a bucket of ice.
Anthony lifted her off of him and climbed to his feet. “We better go join him. Wouldn’t want him to see us together, right?”
“Hello, Earth to Anthony!” Pike’s irritation broke into his deep thoughts and Anthony realized he’d walked across the coffee shop in a daze and sat down next to Pike without saying a word. Both Merry and Pike were staring at him in confusion, and he wondered how long he’d been lost in his night with Delilah.
“Hey, sorry.”
“What is with you today?” Pike asked.
“Nothing,” he muttered. “What did I miss?”
Pike picked up his cup of coffee, wagging his eyebrows. “I said thanks for the coffee, snookums.”
“Don’t call me that, bro,” Anthony said, giving the smaller man a friendly nudge with his shoulder.
“Easy there, you almost made me spill.” Pike set his cup down, checking the front of his sweater for droplets.
“That’s why you shouldn’t be an idiot.”
“Stop denying our love,” Pike said, making kissing noises. “You know you’re my boo for life.”
While Anthony wouldn’t have used that word to describe their connection, there was no denying his friendship with Pike and their other close friends, Nick and Noel Winters, were the lengthiest relationships he’d ever had. Other people might think that was a strange accomplishment, but for Anthony, it meant a lot. They were the family Anthony made, better than the one he’d been born into.
“Are you two done stroking each other’s emotional penises, or can we get started?” Merry asked.
Anthony cocked a brow her. “Really? Emotional penises?”
Merry just smirked in return. Even though she was a woman of twenty-eight now, Anthony still remembered her following along behind them when they were kids, her front teeth missing and sticks and leaves tangled in her hair. Now Merry sat poised across from him, blond hair piled on top of her head, with a sizeable open binder on the tabletop in front of her, looking like a type A angel and not the obnoxious little sister of his other best friend.
“Merry, I’m offended,” Pike said, holding one hand over his chest. “A woman in your delicate condition talking that way.”
“Pretty sure that’s how she got into that condition, bro.”
“Ant!” Merry laughed.
“Don’t Ant me. There’s no denying it, love. The proof is in the puddin’.”
Before Merry married Clark Griffin last year, she was just the middle child of the Winters clan and had given Pike and Anthony as much crap as she did her older brother, Nick, growing up. It was nice that nothing had changed besides her marital status.
Merry coughed, smothering her remaining laughter, and putting on a serious face. “Moving on to business. I asked you here because I have officially taken on the responsibility of organizing the Mistletoe Christmas festivities, and as new business owners, I want to invite you to participate.”
“Hell, yeah, we’re in,” Pike said, without even looking at Anthony to confirm. “Thanks, Merry.”
“No thanks needed,” she said, writing rapidly in her binder. “Additionally, I want to add a few events to the schedule, and I need your help. As our outdoor sports experts, would you be willing to organize a winter obstacle course for people to compete in? Participants will find sponsors, and then they must complete a series of tasks. It will take place the Saturday before Christmas.”
Four weeks to plan a major event and participate in several others while trying to run a business?
“That sounds like a huge undertaking—” Anthony said.
“You’ve come to the right men for the job!” Pike shot Anthony a look, and Anthony pressed his lips together, frustration rippling up his throat, but he held his protests at bay.
Merry frowned. “Anthony? You were saying.”
Anthony caught Pike’s pleading look and relented. “We could develop various ideas, depending on the budget,” Anthony said, grimacing when he heard Pike’s relieved sigh.
Merry brightened. “Great! I’ll see what items I can get donated to help offset costs. Please send me a list of ideas by Friday so I can start putting things in motion.”
“We will,” Pike said.
Anthony tried to bite back his irritation at Pike’s eagerness. This business was his dream, too, but the last thing Anthony wanted was to overcommit them for a bunch of events they couldn’t follow through with. “One thing, Merry! I’d like to focus on one event. We’re a new business, and I’d hate to stretch ourselves so thin that we disappoint you by doing a subpar job.”
Anthony ignored the heat of Pike’s stare. When they’d agreed to go into business together, they’d decided that Anthony would handle the marketing and financial side of things, especially since that’s what he’d received his degree in. Pike would handle most of the guided tours and lessons. It worked out well for them, except when Pike got excited and didn’t take the time to consider all the angles.
Thinking about the dozen or so events that occurred every holiday season in Mistletoe, Anthony could feel the walls closing in. The Festival of Trees was one of Mistletoe’s most significant charity events. While Anthony had helped set up the event in the past, he knew the tree and decoration costs would be several hundred, depending on where they ordered their supplies. People voted and bid on their favorite trees; all the money went toward extracurricular programs this year for the school district. On top of that, the Parade of Lights would require hours to design a float, money for supplies …
Anthony could see the costs adding up in his head and a cold sweat broke out along his skin. They were too new to be shelling out thousands of dollars in a few weeks.
“Okay, so how about this?” Merry said, setting her pen down on top of her open binder. “Adventures in Mistletoe will be the official sponsor of the Mistletoe Winter Games and we’ll forget the Parade of Lights this year. However, if you want to participate in the Festival of Trees, you buy the tree and the supplies and one of the volunteers will set it up for the event. It’s for charity after all.”
Anthony couldn’t argue with that, especially if they didn’t have to waste a Saturday decorating. “Sounds fair.”
“Fabulous. Thanks, guys,” Merry said, picking up her pen again and clicking the end. “You are doing me a huge favor and the last thing I want is to put a strain on you.”
“We’ll be fine, Merry,” Pike said, slapping Anthony on his shoulder. “With this guy as the brains of the operation and my can-do attitude, we can handle anything.”
Merry laughed, while a pounding had started at Anthony’s temples. With their already scheduled appointments on the books, not to mention the day-to-day of running the store when it was just the two of them, how would they develop an event, a tree, and balance everything else without losing their minds?
“Let’s see. We talked about the trees—” She handed Anthony a business packet with information regarding the event and crossed it off her list. “I almost forgot the Christmas concert raffle! Donation forms …” She thrust another one at them and looked up with an apologetic smile. “That one is optional, of course, but it’s great publicity.”
“Is a gift certificate for free snowboarding lessons alright?” Anthony asked, realizing how exasperated he sounded.
“Yes, that would be perfect!” Merry reached across the table and grabbed both of their hands. “Sorry to dump all this on you guys, but once Thanksgiving hits, time flies by fast.”
“We understand,” Anthony said.
“I can go back to the office and print two certificates for the Christmas concert raffle and the winter games prizes and drop those to you this afternoon,” Pike added, bouncing in his seat like a restrained Golden-doodle.
“I’ll be here for another couple of hours meeting with people and then I’ll be heading home, so just text me. I could also swing by when I leave here. Up to you.”
Anthony tried not to think about how much they charged for those lessons, reminding himself it was for charity and that at least it wasn’t coming directly out of their pockets. They’d barely gotten Adventures in Mistletoe up and running nine months ago, and, although they’d done well, Anthony knew most businesses failed in their first five years. Giving away their time for free and taking focus away from their business was counterproductive.
Then again, being a part of the Mistletoe Christmas festivities was getting their name out to locals and the tourists who vacationed there. The publicity and word of mouth might offset the cost.
“You can pick it up. Save me a trip back in here. The last thing I need is to be tempted by one of their Red Bull drinks and end up having the jitters this afternoon,” Pike said, pushing his chair back, and Anthony followed his lead, but Merry held up her hand.
“Last thing before you go, I promise.”
Anthony was halfway out of his seat and settled back in as Merry continued, “Holly and I are planning a Christmas bachelor auction, and we would like both of you to volunteer.”
“Are you talking about dressing us up in penguin suits and parading us around like slabs of meat?” Anthony asked incredulously.
Pike laughed. “You know I’m in.”
“I knew you’d be the easy one to convince,” Merry said, fixing her gaze on Anthony. “Anthony, on the other hand … ”
Anthony leaned back in his chair with his hands up. “Believe me, you don’t want me involved.”
“Sure I do.” Merry picked up her coffee mug with both hands, grinning over the top of it. “You’re a cinnamon roll.”
A bark of surprised laughter escaped him. “A what?”
“Soft and sweet inside. Believe me, you’re a total catch. Spending the day with your handsome face, learning how to snowmobile or ski?” Merry rubbed her hands. “I smell big money.”
Anthony chuckled at the same time Pike burst out laughing.
“I should be offended.” Pike pouted. “You’re not trying very hard to woo me.”
Merry clasped her hands together and begged mockingly, “Please, Pike, would you be a dear and join our bachelor auction?”
“You don’t have to butter me up, Merry,” Pike said, dancing in his chair. “I love being up on stage.”
“Just make sure you keep all your clothes on,” she teased.
“My days as a stripper are over. Unless Adventures in Mistletoe goes under, all bets are off.”
“Heaven help us,” Merry muttered.
“Hey, now, Merry, don’t razz him too much. My boy keeps it tight,” Anthony joked.
Pike fluttered his lashes. “Thanks for noticing, Snoo—oof!”
A swift elbow to the stomach cut Pike off and made Anthony less tempted to strangle him for creating more stress and financial burden for their freshman business.
“Ant?” Merry clasped her hands in front of her. “You wouldn’t make a pregnant woman beg, would you?”
“You don’t play fair.” When she stuck her lip out in a pout, Anthony threw up his hand. “Fine, I’ll do it.”
“Thank God! My bachelor pool is running low with Clark and Nick off the market.”
It made sense, as most young people graduated high school and put Mistletoe in their rearview, whether for college or some other opportunity. The chances of them coming back were slim, too, especially without family still living in town. Most of the people who stayed behind got married before the age of thirty. Mistletoe wasn’t exactly a hot spot of activity for single people.
Despite his average height and red hair, Pike was funny with a larger-than-life personality, and women tripped over one another to be near him, which made Pike perfect for the event. Anthony had spent his life being more comfortable in the background than the center of attention, preferring team sports to school plays, and didn’t relish parading across the stage for the female population to scrutinize.
Merry flipped through the binder to the beginning and pulled out a piece of paper from the front pocket. “Here is the calendar schedule with the rehearsal and event dates.”
“Rehearsal? We’re not doing a choreographed dance like a Miss America Pageant, are we?” Anthony asked, taking the paper from her.
“No, but we want to interview you for the program, highlight your best skills and qualities. Plus, I don’t want you tripping over one another and creating a domino effect that results in injuries.”
Pike leaned over Anthony’s shoulder, looking at the paper with him.
“This is doable,” Pike said.
Anthony was not as enthusiastic, but he remained silent.
“I can email or text you the to-do list tonight for the winter games, whichever you prefer.”
“Email is fine,” Pike said, pulling out his wallet and handing her their business card.
“Look at you, being all professional. I’m so proud.” Merry pulled out her phone from her purse and studied the screen. “My next appointment will be here in five minutes, so if there’s nothing else, I’ll see you both for Thanksgiving?”
“I’ll be there,” Pike said. “My parents decided to visit my sister in Montana instead of feeding me, so I feel vulnerable and abandoned. Maybe you could pass that along to Sally?”
Merry’s eyes narrowed. “Sally is dating a doctor and has no interest in the man who told her she should look into a nose job!”
Anthony covered his mouth with his hand, smothering his laughter. He’d heard about Pike sticking his foot in his mouth with Sally, Pike’s ex-girlfriend and Merry’s best friend, more times than he could count and it never stopped being funny.
“That is not what I said!” Pike protested. “ I told her she should see if she had a deviated septum because she snored like a trucker. I like her nose!”
“The doctor likes everything about her,” Merry said, setting her mug down with a clatter, “including her snoring.”
Pike opened his mouth like he was going to defend himself more, but Anthony clapped a hand on his shoulder and said, “Pike, this is your chance to back out slowly before she hurts you.”
“Good advice,” Merry said dryly.
“Alright, fine.” Pike pushed back his chair and stood, adding, “Let your mom know I’m bringing a side dish.”
Merry groaned. “Not the Brussels sprouts thing!”
“What?” Pike gasped, placing a hand over his heart. “Everyone said it was delicious!”
“They were being nice, man. Nobody likes Brussels sprouts.” Anthony picked up his coffee cup in one hand and wrapped his other arm around Pike’s neck. “He’ll bring mac and cheese. Grab your coffee, bro.”
“Unhand me, cur!” Pike bellowed in a stage whisper, drawing the attention of half the room.
“We’re leaving here before you start talking about kale chips,” Anthony whispered back, waiting for Pike to grab his coffee with a grumble. “Thanks again, Merry.”
“No problem.” Merry stood up, stretching out her back. “Thank you for stepping up. I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with.”
“We’ll be in touch.” He dragged Pike toward the exit, ignoring his protesting friend. When they got outside, he released Pike and continued walking to work, grunting when he felt a sharp kick to his thigh. “Your pants are too tight to kick me in the ass, huh?”
“Fuck you. I can’t believe you hate my Brussels sprouts.” Pike said, pouting. “That hurts my feels.”
“They’re fine, but not something you want to eat, man.”
Pike sniffed dramatically. “I like them.”
“Good for you, but you should go with the majority on this one.”
“You suck.”
“Maybe,” Anthony said, reaching into his pocket for his keys, “but better you know now than when they’re spitting your dish out in a napkin.”
“Speaking of a dish … ” Pike took a sip of his coffee with a grunt. “What did you say to Delilah Gill?”
“When? Today?”
“Yeah, when you went to grab our coffees. She looked ready to twist your head off.” Pike chuckled, waving at a car driving by. “I’m used to that reaction from women, but you?”
Anthony hadn’t told Pike about the kiss with Delilah because he’d thought that’s what her goal was, but also because, as hurt as he’d been, he didn’t want anyone to think badly of Delilah. Despite how the night ended, he’d liked the woman he’d gotten to know that night.
“I simply wished her a good morning. Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Why do I want to call bullshit?” Pike asked.
“You know what?” Anthony snapped his fingers. “I told her I liked her breast cancer awareness shirt.”
Pike pursed his lip thoughtfully. “There is something afoot. Are you into her?”
“No, man.” It wasn’t a lie. While there might have been a moment during their kiss when he’d been tempted to lose himself in her softness, Anthony was thankful he’d come to his senses.
With her snarky T-shirts and magnetic tops for her glasses that seemed to match everything she wore, they were polar opposites. Yet, even with everything that happened, wearing that I Heart Boobies shirt had made him smile.
“You should think more about hitting the bar to meet women,” Pike blurted.
“That came out of left field.”
“I’m serious, bro. We go to Brews and Chews a couple times a week, and you just sit there nursing a beer.”
“You date enough for the both of us.”
“Because I’m looking for something real.”
“You think you’ll find your dream girl in a bar?”
“Why not? Nick and Noel kissed for the first time at Brews and Chews. Clark realized his online date was Merry.”
“I seem to remember you telling Nick a few years ago there was plenty of fish in the sea or some shit like that.”
Pike shook his head. “That was before I realized I was staring down the barrel of thirty-two, and other fishermen are getting their hooks in the best catches.”
Pike didn’t talk about the girl who’d burned him the year before Nick returned from the military or his unrequited feelings for Noel often, but when he did, it was always some weird food metaphor.
“There’s no reason to rush into something because you’re afraid of being alone,” Anthony said.
“That’s not my problem. In every relationship I’ve ever had, I’ve always cared more. Becky. Noel. Even Sally, although her dumping me may have been my fault.”
Something about talking to Pike about Nick’s wife made him twitch. If he found someone who made him want to settle down, Anthony wouldn’t want another man carrying a torch for her.
“Nick is gonna beat your ass if you don’t stop pining for Noel.”
“I’m not pining. I’m stating facts.” Pike sighed loudly and leaned against the front of Adventures in Mistletoe while Anthony unlocked the door. “Maybe I pick emotionally unavailable women because then it’s not a reflection on me that they can’t love me back.”
They stepped through the door, and Anthony shut it, locking it behind them. “Sally was emotionally unavailable?”
Pike made a face. “Sally was always looking for something better. I think she only stuck around because of my oral skills.”
Anthony grabbed a pen off the counter and threw it at Pike. “Shut the fuck up, man. I don’t want to hear that.”
Pike laughed maniacally. “You’re such a prude.”
“No, I don’t want to hear about your cunnilingus talent.”
“I love you, man. You always use big words when you’re uncomfortable.” Pike set his coffee on the counter. “I’m going to take a piss before I head out to meet the Martin party. Any chance they have a single daughter over twenty-one?”
“They’re all in their fifties. It’s a bird-watching hike.”
“Hmmm, gmilf. That could work.”
“You’re a sick man! Do not hit on our customers,” Anthony hollered as Pike headed for the back.
“I can’t shut this down, bro!” Pike yelled back, laughing.