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“Yes.”

Silence. As the seconds ticked away, a frustrated sound squeezed out from the back of her throat. “I can’t do this. I can’t spend Christmas Day with us being all. . . .” She waved her hand uselessly in the air. “All . . .” He quirked a brow. “Damn it, I can’t think of a good word to describe the tension in this room, but whatever it is, I don’t like it. And I especially don’t like it on today of all days.”

Slowly he put down the potato peeler and stepped towards her. When he was in front of her, he placed his hands, those big, sexy hands, on her shoulders. “Anna, there is nowhere I’d rather be right now than here, with you. Tension, or not.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a crooked smile. “I even bought a turkey.”

She felt her shoulders drop. It wasn’t how they’d been, wasn’t what she wanted, but she’d take anything over them fighting.

They both jumped when the intercom for the front door buzzed. “Are you expecting anyone?” He asked.

“Who would come here on Christmas Day? Unless my parents have decided to surprise me?” She rushed to the intercom. “Hello?”

“Package for you,” came a male voice.

Even more confused, she pressed the button to let him in.

Luke appeared by her shoulder. “I’ll get it.” When she frowned up at him, he narrowed his eyes. “A strange man, a packet you’re not expecting?” He shook his head. “Wait here.”

He opened the door and wedged his big frame between her and whoever it was. Don’t read anything into it, she told her stupid heart as it gave a little leap. He’s protecting his best friend’s sister. Not that he’d acted like she was anyone’s sister when he’d had his mouth on her.

Luke turned, shut the door behind him and handed her an envelope.

Her heart faltered when she saw the handwriting. “Oh my God, it’s from Colin. To both of us.” Tears filled her eyes. “I don’t know if I can read this.”

Luke’s fingers wrapped around her upper arm and he squeezed before silently taking the envelope from her and ripping it open. “It’s a letter, to both of us.” He lifted his eyes to hers. “Do you want me to read it out loud?”

Numbly she nodded.

“I think.” He swallowed. “I think we should sit down to do it.”

Wordlessly they made their way to the living room. When she sat on the sofa, he lowered himself onto the coffee table so he was facing her.

“Ready?”

She nodded and he cleared his throat.

“Dear Anna and Luke.

First off, I want to apologize for what I put you through during my last few weeks. I’d lived with my terminal diagnosis for six months, enough time to get my head around it, come to peace with it as much as anyone can who’s told their life will be cut short. But I didn’t give either of you that chance. Why? Because I didn’t want my last few months on this earth filled with sorrow. I wanted the two people who brought me the most joy in life to continue to do that right till the very end. And you did. Even when I dropped the diagnosis on you, then asked you to put your own lives on hold to give the end of mine real meaning. So whatever anger, or guilt you’ve been harboring, let it go. I died how I most enjoyed living, in the company of my two favorite people.”

Looking visibly upset, Luke used his forefinger and thumb to squeeze his eyes before he carried on reading out loud.

“Okay, so you’re probably wondering why I, a guy with no artistic ability and very little forward planning, put together an advent calendar. Well now I can tell you. I always thought it was wrong that the two people I loved the most, who were the closest to me, didn’t know each other. This was my way of rectifying that. And no, it wasn’t a random list of activities thrown together to torture you, Luke.”

She watched as Luke took a deep swallow.

“Now you’re better acquainted, I hope you’ll support each other. That you’ll lean on Luke when you need to, like you did me, Anna. And vice versa. I can’t be there for you anymore, but you can be there for each other.”

It was Anna’s turn to feel the sting of tears. “I can’t believe he went to all this effort.” She sniffed. “Then again, maybe I can, because he loved us.”

“There’s more.” Luke inhaled a deep breath and continued to read the letter.

“The fact you’re both still in my house gives me hope that the second part of my plan also worked.” Luke’s eyes flicked to hers before looking back at the letter. “Yes, the advent forced you together, got you to know each other, helped distract you during this run up to Christmas. Brought you, I hope, a little joy. But my biggest hope is that you both now see what I saw in the weeks we spent together.” Luke swallowed and dragged a hand down his face. “I’m only annoyed I didn’t think of pushing you together before now, but honestly, I didn’t think you’d thank me for it, you’re both so different. But then I saw the way you looked at each other when we were all under the same roof. Sure, you clashed, but the sexual tension between you was so hot, I almost turned the radiators off. Who needs to spend money on central heating when you two are in the room?” Again Luke found her eyes, only this time a small smirk lifted the edges of his mouth. “In case you still need that push from me, I’ve put down some rambling thoughts. Please read them out loud to each other. It might help you see how special you both are. And how perfect you are for each other.”

Luke sucked in a breath and handed the letter to her. “I think he wants you to read this out.”

Her fingers trembled as she took the sheet from him.

“Anna,” she read. And couldn’t stop the tears from spilling over. “My kid sister, the girl who always made me laugh. Also my inspiration for how to be a good person. You’re a nurturer. The kindest, biggest hearted person I know.” Oh god, this was so damn hard.