Kieran scoffs. “I beg to fucking differ.”
“Kieran Sullivan!” Riley scolds, and I choke on a laugh at the look on Kieran’s face.
Brennan claps his hands together. “Right. I’ve been thinking.”
I set the kids back down on solid ground. “That’s never a good sign.”
Brennan ignores me completely. “I think it’s time we settle something very important. Ready, kids? So… Who’s the favorite uncle?”
“You are!” Scout says, without hesitation.
Brennan beams. “See? Kid’s got taste.”
Ronan seethes. “Absolutely not. You bribed him with that stupid drone.”
Brennan huffs. “It was a gift. Out of love.”
“What does bribe mean?” Skye asks.
“Nothing,” I say quickly.
“It means, I’ll buy you anything you want if you say I’m your favorite.”
“Really?” Skye gapes.
“He’s kidding,” Fiona says, and Skye’s face falls.
“I’m not,” I say, and Skye beams at me.
“You’re a sucker, you know that?” Fiona says under her breath.
“Oh yeah, I’m aware.”
““Uncle Cormac is my favorite!” Amber exclaims, throwing her arms around my legs.
“Mine too!” Skye agrees.
“This game sucks.” Brennan scoffs, snatching up his glass and stalking away.
Fiona throws her head back and laughs, the sound light and unguarded. And for a second, I just stand there watching her, this woman who has somehow slotted herself into the chaos of my family like she was always meant to be here.
Kieran catches my eye across the room, and I can tell something is on his mind.
I pretend not to notice, but I’m acutely aware of him heading over to us.
“I don’t really know how to say this, so I’m just going to come out and say it.” He exhales, scrubbing a hand over the back of his neck. “I know I was an asshole at the beginning.”
“That’s one word for it,” Fiona says, but there’s no bite to her tone.
“I didn’t make it easy. For either of you. And I was wrong.”
The admission hangs heavy between us because I know Kieran doesn’t make them lightly.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he says simply. “Both of you.”
Something in Fiona’s expression softens. She reaches out and squeezes his arm. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Kieran nods once, then clears his throat and retreats before the moment can turn uncomfortable.
