“I’m at Alice’s,” I explained quickly, unhappy that he was under the wrong impression.

I could hear the relief in his voice as he spoke next. “You actually went out this year?” he teased.

“Shocking isn’t it?” I replied dryly, enjoying our easy banter. I was relieved that he hadn’t brought up the incident from the previous year, but the image of Tanya ate at me. Over the year I had formed my own idea of what she looked like – tan, sporty and blond. The opposite of me, or anything I ever could be, with my plain brown hair, boring brown eyes and pale skin. I wanted to know how she and Edward were getting along, but was terrified of the answers I might receive.

“So, how did Alice get you to go over?” Edward asked, amused.

I grimaced. “Oh, the usual threats of impending doom and shopping trips and all that.” No need to mention that the thing which finally convinced me was her promise that Edward wouldn’t be coming. It was also my greatest disappointment.

Edward chuckled, oblivious to my dilemma. “Sounds like Alice.”

“So how did you manage to avoid her?” I asked curiously. I couldn’t imagine that Alice would want her brother to miss Christmas with his family, and I wondered how he had escaped her persuasive powers.

It was quiet for a moment. Then he said tersely, “I managed.”

His words firmly ended the conversation and I instantly regretted my own. That was two years now that I had effectively prevented a talk that could have been pain-free and didn’t involve emotions that were better hidden deep. Why couldn’t I keep my mouth shut?

“You’ll have to teach me,” I joked weakly and quickly changed the subject. “So, how’s your Christmas going?” I prayed that this topic wouldn’t provoke any unforeseen reactions.

“Slow,” he admitted, and I was relieved that the edge in his voice had vanished. But I was also puzzled. Wouldn’t he be with Tanya? Even if he wasn’t, there was always some girl vying for his attention. He wasn’t the kind of guy to just go out with anyone, but I would think no one would want to be alone on Christmas Eve. Me being the exception, of course…