She doesn't mean anything by it. It's a joke, idle conversation, but the reminder of Christmas is about the last thing I needed, even if there's no real way Pepper could've known. The holiday season was rough enough with MJ around, and I don't want to think of what it'll be like without her, particularly given our memorable Christmas Eve two years ago. We got married during the summer, maybe -- and a part of me's already dreading August -- but Christmas Day was when we got together, when we tried to make a real go at our relationship after the disastrous first attempt.

Not that the second attempt ended much better.

I gulp down half the coffee in one go to cover up the lull, burning my tongue in the process. Wincing, I say, "Hot."