Page 3 of Primal

CRYSTAL

If you aren’t here in twenty minutes, we’re starting without you.

These two are definitely persistent.

“UncailFinn!” the demanding little preschooler I promised to babysit tonight shouts from the landing. “You’re supposed to be getting ready to go swimming.”

Sorry, ladies. Enjoy yourselves.

DIAMOND

You DO realize what you’re passing up, right?

The image that follows her text would make some porn stars blush, and I’m suddenly left feeling a little less than adequate.Definitely not a feeling I’m used to in that department.

Already dressed in her lime-green, floral bathing suit and matching hot-pink pool floaties, Fiona stares up at me with her big blue eyes as she tugs at my jeans and pleads, “C’mon.”

Based on that photo, the two of you will be just fine without me.

Besides, a feisty little redhead has demanded my undivided attention this evening, and she definitely isn’t taking no for an answer.

Without another thought, I turn off my phone and toss it onto the couch and kneel on the ground before Fiona. “You’re awfully demanding for a little peanut who was supposed to be in bed fifteen minutes ago.”

“You promised,” she huffs as I stand.With that adorable protruding lower lip, I couldn’t recant on my commitment if I wanted to.

“I did. And what have I taught you about promises?” I kick off my shoes and pull my T-shirt over my head.

She thinks for a moment before exclaiming, “Evans always keep their promises!”

“That’s right, peanut.” I throw my shirt on top of my phone and begin running toward the patio as I shout, “Last one in is a rotten egg.”

“You can’t swim in your pants!” Fiona’s giggles follow behind me as I pretend to race her to the pool.

“Watch me!” I scoop her into my arms and cannonball us both into the warm water.

When we push through the surface, Fiona swipes her matted red locks from her face and blows the water from her lips over my face as she squeals, “Again!”

Balling her in my arms, I toss her across the pool until evenI’mtired. She wraps her floaty-covered arms around my neck and places a big, wet chlorine kiss against my cheek. “You're gonna be a really gooddaidi, UncailFinn.”

A dad? She can’t be serious.

Fiona’s sentiment is sweet, but I’m pretty sure I tap out at fun uncle.

“Really, Finnigan?” Quinn scoffs from the doorway to the patio as Declan glares at me from behind her.

“I think your dad is going to disagree with you, peanut.” I spin her onto my back and make sure her hands are wrapped snuggly around my neck.

I hold Fiona’s hands tightly and swim her to the edge of the pool as she teases, “You’re in so much trouble.”

We reach the edge, where Declan is waiting with a very disappointed scowl. He pulls her from the water and up to his chest as he quips, “And so are youa stóirín. I am pretty sureyoushould’ve been in bed a couple of hours ago.”

The moment she snickers as he carries her inside, I quickly realize that I’m the only one who is going to be receiving a lecture about letting her take a late-night swim.

Quinn firmly slaps a navy beach towel against my chest as I climb from the pool. “I expect you to spoil her, Finn, but you can’t keep her up this late. I’m starting to think you actually enjoy riling him up until he wants to beat the piss out of you.”

“Shhh.” I smirk, drying my hair and arms as I follow her back toward the house. “It’ll be our secret.”

Quinn stops abruptly at the doorway, “Pants, Finn. You are soaked. You aren’t coming in here and leaving puddles all over my floors.”

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