“It does?” Charlie scrunched her nose. “How?”
“Think about it this way. When you’re building your castle, you’re thinking about doing the best job you can, right? Because you want a great castle. Not because you want to win some prize. While other people will be worrying and wondering about what everyone else is doing, you’re just focused on what you’re doing. That’s a pretty good mind-set for competition. It’s what I try to keep in mind, anyway.”
“Do you really believe that?” Calliope asked before she thought better of it. “All those times you competed with your brother? You were just focused on the task rather than beating him?”
“Most of the time.” Xander shrugged. “That’s not to say I didn’t celebrate when I kicked his butt.” He winked at Charlie, who lost her frown and found her beautiful, crooked-tooth smile. “But whatever I did, I tried to learn something. And that’s what competitions like that are for.”
“We still don’t have an adult on our team,” Charlie said.
“Actually...” Calliope cleared her throat. “I’ve been thinking about it and I’d like to be your adult supervisor. But I don’t know a lot about sandcastles or constructing them.”
“That sounds like a challenge to me,” Xander said before Calliope could regret her statement. “And I accept. I’m afraid I won’t be here for the event, but I can see my way clear of doing a bit of advance sandcastle training. What do you say, Charlie? Will Calliope do?”
“You both want to help us?” Charlie asked. “Really?”
As if Calliope could refuse that freckled face. “Really.”
“Oh, thank you, Calliope!” Charlie tossed her book aside and launched herself into Calliope’s arms. “I can’t wait to tell Mom and Dad someone will help. They felt real bad ’cause they have to work. And thank you, Xander.” She gave him the same treatment, and as Xander looked over the top of Charlie’s red head, Calliope’s heart tightened in her chest. “I’ll get all my notes together and we can start practicing. And then I’m going to tell Simon that he was wrong and we get to build a fantastic castle after all!” She ran down the hall and slammed into the bridal suite.
“Well.” Calliope stood up and brushed her hands down the front of her dress. “If only all life’s problems were so easily solved.”
“Yes.” Xander nodded. “You look beautiful, by the way.” He stepped closer and tapped a gentle finger against one of the butterflies around her neck. “That color makes your eyes sparkle more than usual.”
“Yes, apparently that’s why Abby chose it.” She should step back. Away from him. Far away. But the warmth of his smile drew her in the opposite direction. Toward him.
“Abby has a good eye.” His voice lowered and reverberated in her belly. “I didn’t mean to goad you into helping them. I don’t like seeing anyone upset.”
“I know.” And she did. He’d been so good with his sister, with Stella. In the way he’d treated her when they’d visited her mother. “I’m afraid I didn’t say yes because of you, though.”
“No?” His finger trailed along the neckline to her shoulder, danced up the side of her throat. She turned her face into his hand as he cupped her cheek.
“What are you doing here, Xander?” Calliope was finding it hard to talk—where were the words? Why had they abandoned her?
“Waiting for Alethea. And helping you.”
“I don’t need your help.” She didn’t need anyone’s help. No matter how much she wanted it.
“I know.” He dipped his face toward hers. She felt his breath brush her cheek. She shivered and closed her eyes. Meant to turn away. And turned into him instead.
She’d never been kissed the way Xander kissed her. As if she was both adored and desired. As if the entire universe came to a screeching halt because all that mattered was how she felt in his arms. Arms that slipped down and around and pulled her against him.
“You enchant me,” he murmured against her lips. “It’s like everything lightens when you’re near me.”