“Oh,” she said, surprised. She’d expected immediate family only.

“But don’t worry. You’ll have a fan. My sister Aurora can’t wait to meet you. Plus, how can you be uptight when there’s a baby around? You have to see Leah. She’s got these gorgeous indigo-colored eyes. They’re so deep blue.” His eyes lit up when he talked about his niece in a way she’d never seen before.

Her eyes widened at the thought of Xander holding a little girl against his broad chest. “You have a soft spot for the baby. That’s so sweet.”

“I have a soft spot for you,” he said, hooking an arm around her waist, pulling her against him, and stealing a kiss that was way too short before the doorbell rang and the first of his family arrived.

***

Xander needed peace and quiet in his life, but he enjoyed having his family over, too. They were growing, with Linc and Jordan now married, although Jordan had always joined him at family barbeques, and now Chloe, Beck, and his family. But Xander still didn’t consider the extra people intrusive or noisy. Not when he considered them family. Then, he always wanted to hang out with them.

Except for today, when he’d rather be alone with Sasha. Once filming started, they’d be busy, their hours would be crazy, and the eye-fucking she’d been treating him to all day would give way to concentration on work.

After seeing how Dash had treated Sasha the first time he’d laid eyes on her, Xander had made it a point to talk to the rest of his siblings, and thank God everyone had been cordial so far. Even Chloe, his protective sister.

He and Dash grilled the food while they looked out over the pool area where everyone spread out, talking, eating snacks, and sipping their drinks.

“Linc’s pretty mellow these days,” Dash said.

Xander glanced over to where Jordan was resting, her feet up on a recliner, her belly huge, Linc by her side. “He’s got everything he didn’t know he wanted.”

Hooking up and falling in love with his best friend had been a shock to Linc, as had finding out they were having a baby. But Xander had never seen his oldest brother more relaxed or happy.

Dash studied Linc, too. “I never thought he’d settle down. Not with Dad being such a dick. I thought we all figured we were better off on our own. Except Chloe.” She’d chosen a supposedly safe asshole who’d cheated and left her at the altar, leading Beck to rescue her drunk self on her almost wedding day. Beck, who just happened to be Linc’s nemesis, but they’d made peace and were working their way toward friendship again.