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“I could. If I was polite.”

She made a sound of complete exasperation. Enough to make him want to explain why he’d been so short, but how could he do that without telling her what he’d done? He didn’t want to lose her friendship, didn’t want to risk never seeing that warmth in her eyes again when she looked at him. Even if he didn’t deserve it.

After a quick photo on the rock, Luke slid his jacket back on and they continued walking, the crunch of their feet on the undergrowth the only sound as they made their way along the trail. Eventually it opened out and they were rewarded with a panoramic view of Upstate New York.

“Wow.” Anna, cheeks red from the climb, stared at the view. “That’s quite something.”

“Worth the effort?”

“Definitely. I bet it’s great in the summer, when nature’s color scheme is more green than brown.”

“It is.” He paused, decided for once he wouldn’t second guess himself. “I could bring you back, if you want.”

Her head swung his way. “You think you’re going to want to see me again after you’ve made it through these twenty-four days?”

“Yes.” He held his breath, releasing it only when he watched her mouth curve upwards.

“I’d like that.” Her attention turned back to the view for a moment before returning to him. “You know, I think we should spread Colin’s ashes here.”

He stilled, his heart giving a quiet thump of hope. “You’re sure? It doesn’t hold any memories for you or your family. Only for me.”

“He was more than a best friend to you,” she said softly. “He was your brother, too.”

He thought he was done with this fierce ache, the sting of tears. “He was,” he croaked. “He was my family.”

She gripped his hand. “Then it seems like this is where we should lay him to rest. A place he escaped to from the pressures of his job. A place he found peace.”

Tears ran down her cheeks and he drew her into his arms. It felt natural now, especially when she slotted under his chin so easily, her head tucked against his chest.

“I’ll check with Mom and Dad,” she said after a while. “But if they’re okay, will you come back with me to scatter his ashes?”

“Of course.”

They stayed for a few more minutes, drinking in the view, gaining comfort from each other. There was something so inherently right about having her in his arms, and he couldn’t help but wonder if maybe her brother would be happy to see them like that.

There was a huge difference between being her friend, providing comfort, and all the other things he wanted to do with Anna, though. Things he dreamt about at night, that had him waking up with his hand around his hard, throbbing dick.

Things her brother would definitely not be happy about.

Whatever his friend had intended when he’d set them up on this advent journey, it wasn’t Luke having a hot, heavy fling with his precious sister.

December 12th

As she slid her key into the lock of the condo, Anna nearly jumped out of her skin when the door opposite her opened.

She whipped around to find their neighbor walking out of her condo. Correction, her neighbor. Crap, had she really started to think of her and Luke as a they? “Hey, Pearl.”

“Morning, honey.” Pearl looked her up and down. “Been for a run by yourself?”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Come on, you’ve seen Luke. You really think I’d have a hope in hell of keeping pace with him?”

Pearl flashed her white teeth. “If memory serves me correctly, you’d have a lovely view as he sprinted past you.”

Do not blush, do not blush. “Until he left me for dust.”

Pearl winked. “Surely that’s an incentive to keep up with him.”

Footsteps sounded up the stairs and they both turned.