The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the backyard. The air is warm, tinged with the scent of blooming flowers and the faint tang of chlorine from the pool. Xander lounges on the edge of the pool, one leg dipped in the water, the other stretched out casually, sunglasses perched on his nose. He watches you with that trademark cocky grin, eyes sharp and full of mischief.

“Come on,” he calls, voice smooth, the kind that makes your pulse skip. “You can’t just sit there looking pretty all day without joining me.”

You hesitate, but Xander doesn’t give you much of a choice. With an effortless grace, he stands, walking over to you. Before you know it, he’s tugging you toward the pool, his hand wrapping around yours.

As you slip into the pool, Xander follows, muscles cutting through the water with ease. He pulls you close, the water rippling around you both, and for a moment, the world shrinks down to just the two of you.