Page 103 of Mistletoe Mischief

“It sounds like singing.”

Ryler frowned, standing perfectly still.

Suddenly, there was a pounding at the door.

“Delilah!”

Delilah covered her mouth, eyes wide. Ryler couldn’t tell for sure, but she’d bet her last dollar it was Anthony pounding on the door. The entire house of women quieted, gathering in the dining room doorway to watch.

“I think that’s for you,” Ryler said.

Delilah set her cup down and crossed the room, Ryler following behind. When Delilah opened the door, Ryler saw the group of men standing in the yard with Anthony front and center, looking sheepish, and Pike by his side. When Ryler met Pike’s eyes, he grinned wickedly, setting her panties ablaze.

Damn him.

“What are you doing here?” Delilah asked.

“We have come courtin’,” Pike said.

“No, we’ve not,” Sam said.

Delilah grabbed her coat off the hook and stepped out onto the porch, wrapping her arms around herself. “Again, why are you all gathered on my lawn?”

“I’m getting to that,” Anthony said, clearing his throat. “Nick?”

Nick held his phone up, and the first notes of “Hey There Delilah” sounded, and suddenly Anthony was singing at the top of his lungs, the men behind him humming along.

“Oh, it’s what you do to me!” Anthony belted. He wasn’t bad, but he was slightly off beat and obviously a little drunk. Holly stepped out onto the porch between Delilah and Ryler, her mouth agape.

“Oh my God,” Holly said.

The crowd of women thickened on the porch as more of them came out to watch the spectacle.

Anthony threw his hands out to his side as he sang, “And you’re to blame!”

The men chorused, “Oooooooh,” and Ryler bit her lip to keep from laughing at Pike, who was waggling his eyebrows at her as he crooned. Delilah’s neighbors had all stepped out into their yards to watch, some of them laughing. Others shaking their heads.

The song ended, and Delilah didn’t move as Anthony took a few steps toward her, grinning. Ryler gave them space, keeping her eyes on Pike as he backslapped and congratulated his friends. Seeing him among them again made her think back to that Instagram stalking she’d done and how his relationship with his friends was the first thing that fascinated her about him.

“Aren’t carolers supposed to sing Christmas songs?” Delilah asked Anthony.

“Not when they’re trying to win back their girl.”

An eruption of feminine “aws” echoed throughout the women on the porch, including Ryler, who couldn’t resist the romance of it all.

Anthony seemed to finally realize how large his audience was and blinked at them. “I didn’t know you were having a party.”

“It’s a book club,” Delilah said.

He climbed up on the first step, swaying with a smile. “What book are you reading?”

“Stay focused, man! I am freezing my balls off!” Declan said.

“Right, sorry.” Anthony cleared his throat. “Delilah Gill. I like you and want to take you out on a date. ’Cause I like you.”

“You already said that,” Delilah whispered.

Anthony leaned in, towering over Delilah. “I thought it bore repeating. I like the hell out of you, and I will shout it to the world any time you doubt me.”