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Marcus, we’re no match for them.”
    “That’s what you get for having twins,” Reese teased.
    Samara laughed. “I know. What was I thinking?”
    “Why don’t you want a dog?” Lexi asked curiously. “I thought you loved animals. The first time Marcus saw you at your mother’s fashion show, weren’t you strutting down the runway with some big ol’ tiger?”
    Samara chuckled. “I’ll never live that down.”
    Lexi grinned. “Why would you want to? From what I’ve heard, your fierceness on that stage made you unforgettable to Marcus.”
    Samara grinned. “I was pretty fierce that night.”
    “Still are, mami.” Lexi winked.
    Samara blew her a kiss.
    “So when are you guys getting the dog?” Reese asked.
    “Marcus wants to surprise the boys on Christmas.” Samara smiled tenderly. “I can’t wait to see their little faces light up. That might make it worth it.”
    “It might,” Taylor conceded with a sigh. “But I hope Micah and Max won’t get any ideas after playing with your dog. I wouldn’t mind letting them have one eventually, but chasing after three kids is about all I can handle right now.”
    “I hear you,” Reese said. “I feel the same way.”
    Lexi cast a sly glance around the pool. “Speaking of our kiddos, am I the only one who’ll have my husband all to myself tonight while Junior stays with Grandma?”
    The others laughed.
    “No, you’re not the only one,” Taylor drawled. “Manning’s parents are keeping the kids for us. Which they do all the time anyway. Micah, Max and Malia spend so much time over at their grandparents’ house, they practically live there.” She grinned at Lexi. “That’s how it’s going to be when Junior gets older.”
    “Probably,” Lexi agreed with a chuckle. “If it were up to Quentin’s mom, she’d have Junior every other day.”
    Reese grinned. “That sounds like my mother. Every time we talk on the phone, she’s babysitting my sister’s two kids. She hates not being here to bond with Savannah and Michael Junior. That’s why she and Dad can’t wait to come for Christmas.”
    “Same with my mother,” Taylor said. “She’s been in seventh heaven since my brother, Tru, gave her a grandson to spoil. But she really misses my kids and envies Manning’s mom for having them all to herself. And Prissy likes to call her sometimes and rub it in when she has them over.” Taylor tsk-tsked . “Wicked, heartless woman.”
    Everyone laughed.
    “I’m so glad Raina and Warrick are coming for Christmas too,” Reese said warmly, referring to her sister and brother-in-law. She smiled at Taylor. “What about Tru and Simona?”
    “They’re coming for New Year’s,” Taylor said cheerfully. “Before that, they’ll be in Barbados visiting Simona’s family.”
    “So they’re spending Christmas in the Caribbean?” Reese sighed. “I’m jealous.”
    “Me too,” the others commiserated with a laugh.
    Lexi sipped her champagne and sighed languidly, her senses filled with the herbal-infused steam rising from the heated water. She gestured to Reese with her glass. “So Sterling and Asha are watching the kids today?”
    “Yes, ma’am. They would have kept them overnight, but they already had tickets to the ballet.”
    Taylor grinned. “I know that wasn’t Uncle Sterling’s idea. He’s not exactly a fan of ballet or classical music, which is why it means so much to me every time he shows up for my violin concerts.”
    Samara smiled fondly. “Sterling will do anything for the people he loves. That’s why he attends Mom’s fashion shows and lets her host all those fancy dinner parties. He loves her and wants to be supportive—”
    “And he knows he’ll be richly rewarded afterward,” Reese interjected with a lascivious grin.
    “Well, of course,” Samara agreed. “Mom doesn’t mind stepping out of her comfort zone to do nice things for Sterl—”
    Reese snorted. “Girl, please. You know damn well what I was talking about. Yes,