The Hazards of Mistletoe (Hazards #4)(16)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“You could have had something with alcohol.”

“Technically yes, but what’s the fun in that when you can’t have it?”

“What’s the fun in any of this?”

“Let’s pretend for a moment that you weren’t in a depressing and cynical mood, you didn’t answer my question. Interesting conversation?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I glanced over at the two women. They were each sipping wine. They didn’t appear to have heard Dalton at least.

“Don’t worry. I don’t think you’ll have trouble landing a guy.” He patted my shoulder and sat down. Had he been eavesdropping too?

“Because I’m so concerned with your opinion on the subject?”

“I don’t know what you’re concerned with. I only know what I’m concerned with.”

“And that is what? Annoying me?”

“My mom’s happiness.”

“What?” I wasn’t expecting that.

“My mom’s in love with your dad. She’s like a different person around him. I haven’t seen her like that in years.”

“That’s great. What’s your concern then?”

“You.”

“Me?” I put a hand to my chest. “What do I have to do with anything?”

“I’m going to hope you’re oblivious and not doing any of this on purpose.”

“Meaning?” My chest tightened. What was he about to accuse me of?

He sipped his Coke. “Your dad’s already worried about you. He’s afraid of making things worse. He won’t propose because of it, and Mom thinks it’s because he’s not committed.”

“Making what worse? And why is he worried?”

Dalton looked me straight in the eyes. “What happened last Christmas? I heard your mom got engaged.”

I sighed. “Please. Do we have to do this?”

“Yes. Yes we do.”

“Ok, fine. Yes, my mom got engaged. Her then boyfriend did it when all of his kids were there, and he knew I wouldn’t be. He then planned a family trip knowing I couldn’t come.”

“Ouch. That sucks.”

“Yeah, but I don’t see why it has anything to do with my dad. It’s over. Amazingly enough I was invited to the wedding.”

“And what about you? Are you really that okay with it?”

“With my mom getting married? Sure. Mac doesn’t like me. There’s nothing I can do to change that, but I love my mom, and she seems happy with him.”

“So why is your dad convinced you’re going to go off the deep end if he proposes to my mom?”

“How am I supposed to know? I barely saw him last Christmas. I left early.”

“Why did you leave early?” Dalton rested his elbows on the table.

“Not going there.”

“Ok. So that brings us back to the guy.”

“Can we please talk about something else? I prefer talking about my mom’s marriage to this.”

“But if you’re telling me your moodiness didn’t come from your mom, then it’s the guy. You’re dad has it all wrong.”

“Moodiness?”

“Yeah. Your dad says you’re like a different person.”

“That’s not true. I was peppy enough to get into a sorority.” I laughed. “Ok, that sounded bad.”

“Meaning you can fake it.” He stirred his straw around his glass. “So what I’m trying to figure out is what the guy could have done to make you miserable, weight obsessed, and into dating risky men.”

“Hey! None of that is true.”

“It’s not?”

“No.”

“Then explain it.”

“Explain what?” I pushed away my juice. It was too sweet for the mood I was in.

“Explain why you date older men. Let’s start there.”

“You’re not my therapist.”

“But you have one?”

“Dalton, I’m about to walk out of here.”

“And walk home?”

“It’s only a half mile or so.”

“In the cold.”

“Then I’ll call my dad.”

“With what?”

“What are you talking about?”

He pulled my phone out of his pocket and grinned. “I know it’s creepy, but I’m desperate. My mom is going to give up on your dad if he doesn’t pop the question soon.”

“Fine. I’ll tell my dad how I can’t imagine better step-siblings, so he needs to propose.”

Dalton laughed. “Good try, but talking to your dad about your feelings can’t hurt.”

“Except he’s going to pester me with questions just like you are.”

“And that’s a bad thing? He’s your parent. He’s supposed to pester you.”

“But you’re not a parent, or even related to me, so you shouldn’t be pestering me at all.”

“I’ll stop if you promise to talk to your dad. But I’m here. I really don’t mind listening.”

“But I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Fair enough, but if you change your mind.”

“I’m not going to change my mind.”

“If you say so.” He finished off his Coke.

Seating is now beginning. The announcement came over the loudspeaker.

“I hope you’re a sit in the middle type person.”

“Excuse me?”

“I had to reserve our seats in advance since I knew it would be crowded. We’re in the middle.”

“Middle’s perfect.” I seemed to always date guys who liked the front or back. Sitting in the front strained my neck, and I needed glasses to see from the back.

I stood up and took off my coat. I’d been so cold and distracted, I’d never taken it off.

We started walking toward the doors of the theater when I saw Glen. Seriously? At the movies? “Let’s go.” I grabbed on to Dalton’s arm.

“What?” He looked over his shoulder. “Oh. I see.”

“Come on. Get the tickets out. Let’s do this.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” He put his hands on my arms. “Maybe it would be better to face this head on.”

“You don’t understand.”

“No, I don’t. And whose fault is that?”

I gritted my teeth. “Please, Dalton.”