And she considered that lucky. Xander shook his head, clenched his jaw, and wanted to punch something for all she’d been through. His father especially but he couldn’t change the past. All he could do was be there for his sister now.

“I want to help kids who age out,” Aurora said. “That’s what I want to do with my money.” She fidgeted in her seat and the silence around them was deafening. “I know I’m still young and Leah’s a baby, but that’s my goal.”

Sasha smiled, placing a hand over Aurora’s. “I can tell you how we set things up. But it’s according to California laws. You’d be doing things in New York, so you’ll need to talk to lawyers here to get started. But any questions you have, I’m here. Before you leave, take my cell phone number.”

Aurora’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude and Xander understood. Coming from nothing, she now had everything. And here was her idol, a famous actress, offering her phone number. Xander was grateful to Sasha for being so open and giving with his sister.

It was going to be so damned hard to keep her at a distance so his heart wouldn’t be smashed when she left again– for whatever movie or project awaited her next, in whatever country or part of the world it was set in.

Chapter Six

Everyone had finished eating and left to do the drive home. Even Dash had taken off early, his mood obviously impacted by his band problems. Chloe and Beck were outside with Xander, and Sasha made herself scarce to start washing dishes. Despite her nerves, she’d had a good time today. She loved how normal Xander’s family was despite how much money they possessed and how famous some of them were. Although they’d been told Sasha was staying here, they were obviously surprised, since more than once, she’d caught them watching her. And Xander had given them something to see. They were also obviously shocked by how open and touchy he’d been with her throughout the day.

Join the club, she mused, putting a dish in the dishwasher. She’d spent the afternoon and evening completely caught off guard by the changes in him. Apparently, sex only with an end date in sight worked for him. She just hoped she could make it work for her, too, because it was going to hurt when she went home. She knew that much already, before they’d even slept together again.

“Hi,” Chloe said, joining her by the sink with some serving plates in her hands. Of all the siblings, Chloe had been the coolest toward her. Not rude, just… wary.

“Hi. You can put those down. I’ll get to them next,” Sasha said.