The Hazards of Mistletoe (Hazards #4)(11)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“I’ll tell you over lunch.” He smiled. He was trying to slip back into his joking banter.

Not going to happen. “I already told you I have plans.”

“You haven’t introduced me to your friends.”

“No I haven’t.” I looped my arms through Laney’s. “Let’s go.” I turned around.

“Savy. Come on. Don’t be like this. It’s been a year,” he pleaded.

I turned back. “Yes. It has been. It’s been a year since the most embarrassing night of my life, and I’d rather not remember it.” Too bad I remembered it constantly. I remembered the way his eyes looked me over as he rejected me.

“Listen, I don’t know what’s going on here, but it’s obvious you’re making her uncomfortable, so I think you should back off.” Dalton put an arm around me.

“You’re right. You don’t know what’s going on, and it’s none of your business.” Glen scowled.

“Actually it is my business.” Wow, maybe this protective stuff wasn’t so bad.

“Why? Are you with this guy, Savy? Because he’s too old for you.”

I laughed dryly. “He’s younger than the guys I usually date.” I regretted the words the moment they left my mouth. Now I was going to have to explain that comment away before it got back to my dad.

Glen’s expression hardened. “Is It really so easy for you to throw out ten years of friendship?”

“You were the one who threw it away.”

He gritted his teeth. “No I didn’t. I did the right thing.”

“The right thing?”

“Yeah. The right thing.” He lowered his voice.

“I’ve got to go.” I turned again.

“I’m not giving up on you. You’re here all week.”

“You gave up on me a year ago,” I said in barely a whisper as I continued on through the village. I hoped Laney and Dalton would follow.

***

“You’re going to have to tell me eventually.” Dalton watched me intently at lunch as I picked at my salad. After Laney assured me we’d leave if Glen came into the restaurant, I’d agreed to go out to eat. Still, I found myself looking over my shoulder at the entrance every so often.

“Why should I? It’s none of your business.”

“It is my business now.”

“Just because my dad is dating your mom doesn’t mean you have some sort of right to intrude on my life.”

“They’re not just dating.” Laney tied her straw wrapper into tiny knots. “They’re serious.”

“Whatever. It still doesn’t mean he can butt into my life.” Clearly I knew that inviting the woman and her kids meant Dad was serious, but hearing her kids say it brought the point home.

Dalton dipped a fry in ketchup. “It means I can care. What did the guy do to you?”

“Just drop it, Dalton. She doesn’t want you butting in. I can relate.” Laney rolled her eyes.

“Ok, then how about we move on. What did you mean when you said I was younger than most of the guys you date? I’m twenty-two. You’re nineteen.”

“Yeah, so.” I ate another crouton. They were the best part of the Caesar salad.

“Yeah, so… why are you dating guys older than twenty-two? You shouldn’t be dating guys out of college.”

“Says who?” I set down my fork. Dalton was starting to get on my nerves. He barely knew me, and he had no right to question my dating choices.

“Says anyone, including your dad. I guarantee he’s going to have a problem with it.”

“He’s not going to know.” I gripped the table. My dad wasn’t going to take well to that news. He always told me to become friends with guys before I dated them. It’s not like I’d been sleeping around the city of Charleston, but after my Glen experience I made sure to date men I wouldn’t have to see again if I didn’t want to. That took all college boys off the table.

“It’s your choice. Either tell me about the guy or I tell your dad about your recent dating experiences.”

“Are you serious?” I pushed my chair back. “Are you that much of an asshole?”

Laney put her hands out toward each of us. “Whoa. Just calm down. Dalton, she’s right. You’re being an asshole. Savannah, I apologize for my brother.”

Dalton glared at his sister. “I don’t understand how trying to help someone makes me the asshole.”

“Because I don’t want your help. I don’t need it.” I was ready to hit the slopes again. At least no one bothered you as you went down the mountain.

“Fine.” He sighed. “Forget it.”

“Good.” I pushed my seat in. “Can’t we try to get along for a week?”

“There’s a simple solution here. We ditch Dalton after lunch.” Laney smiled. “I swear I’m not going to annoy you or ask you questions that are none of my business.” She frowned at her brother.

“You’re not ditching me. You think I’m okay with you hanging out with a girl with baggage and a history of dating older men?”

“You have got to be kidding me.” I didn’t think. I acted on instinct. I tossed my entire glass of water in his face. I didn’t fully comprehend what I’d done until Laney started laughing uncontrollably. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay away from both of you.”

The hostess looked at me like I had two heads as I stormed out of the restaurant. Whatever. I was tired of caring what people thought of me. I headed back to the condo, belatedly remembering my board. I’d have to go back for it later.

“Savannah!” Laney yelled after me.

I didn’t stop. The girl seemed nice, but she was related to Dalton, so who knew when she’d turn off the charm and show her true colors. “Savannah, wait up!”

I stopped a few feet outside the restaurant. People were starting to stare. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Do what?” Laney caught up with me.

“Try to make up excuses for your brother. He doesn’t like me. I get it.”

“He doesn’t dislike you.”

I laughed dryly. “He pretty much just called me a whore and a bad influence.”

“He’s just over protective because of stuff that happened with our mom before, and he’s taking it out on you. It’s not fair, but he’s only doing it because he cares.”