He opened and closed his mouth. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

She hugged him. “Xavier. You love your mom. That’s nothing to be upset about. So you’re protective. You’re a good son.”

“Am I if I don’t want her to be happy?” He looked miserable, so she kissed him.

Top happened to catch them in the act, standing in the doorway. “Ah-ha. Auggie was right. When you’re done locking lips, your mom wants you in the kitchen.” He smirked and left.

Justine grabbed the potato salad, embarrassed, and hurried to the kitchen. Xavier followed.

She hoped she hadn’t made a mistake sticking her nose where it didn’t belong, but when she had a moment’s pause between peeling carrots and carving watermelon balls, Xavier leaned close to kiss her and whispered, “Thanks, Justine. For being there for me.”

She turned and caught his smile, glad she hadn’t ruined anything between them.

Xavier hated that he now saw himself through a distorted lens. Had he been a good son? Was he being a good boyfriend? A good brother?

He hadn’t thought himself capable of being so selfish, wanting all his mother’s attention. Heck, he and Auggie shared everything and always had. When his father had died, they’d all been lost. The man hadn’t been a saint, but he’d been as perfect a father and husband as a man could get.

So naturally, the first man his mother had dated, two years after his father passed, hadn’t measured up. But then, none of them had. Damn. Maybe Auggie had it right after all.

“Um, pass the potatoes?” Benji asked.

Top grunted and pushed the bowl closer to Benji, who looked as if he’d jump if Top breathed too hard.

Auggie frowned. “Easy, Marine.”

Top gave her a look that she gave right back, the pair of them glaring so hard it was a wonder their brows didn’t get stuck together. He wasn’t the only one who noticed either. Justine looked as if she was trying to hold back laughter. His mother too.

“Oh my God. Would you two relax?” he said on an exasperated sigh. “You’ve spent the whole meal trying to see who’s is bigger.”

“Mine, clearly,” Auggie sniffed.

Top stared at her before laughing. “Damn, girl, you might just be right.”

Cynthia shook her head, her eyes filled with mirth. “Stubborn jarheads.”

Was it his imagination, or did Benji hide a smile as well?

“Well, Max,” Cynthia said. “We might as well tell them.”

“Tell us what?” Xavier asked.

Top—Max—cleared his throat. “We wanted to let you know that we’re getting married.”

Auggie and he stared. “What?” they said as one.

“I’m soon going to be giving you a baby sister,” Cynthia added with a smile. “Can you believe that?”

“Hell, no.” Xavier wondered if he might be hearing things. Then he noticed Justine and Benji trying to hide their laughter. Auggie had believed the lie, though, so he didn’t feel so bad. She looked pale.

“Ha. Told you.” Top guffawed. “The look on your faces. Relax, you two. Your mom and I are well past the age of having babies. But we are dating, so if you got a problem, now’s the time to spit it out.”