Page 38 of Possessive Bodyguard Summer

"Marco!" she called out again.

“I am not playing Marco Polo.”

"Chicken!"

“Careful.” I pointed at her.

"Nope." She grinned. "You’re a chicken."

Monroe covered her mouth, trying and failing to hide her laughter.

I looked between the two of them.

One tiny menace. One grown woman who was encouraging the tiny menace.

I was outnumbered. Again.

"I swear this house gets less respectful every day."

Monroe gasped dramatically. "Respectful? You won't even get in the pool with us."

"Because somebody has to be the responsible one."

"Not it!" Kaleigh yelled immediately.

Monroe pointed at herself. "Also not it."

I shook my head.

Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.

Yet somehow, standing there in my backyard listening to their laughter, I couldn't remember the last time the house had felt this alive.

Or the last time I'd wanted so badly to hold onto a moment.

"Daddy!"

I sighed. "What now?"

Kaleigh grinned. The exact same grin she got every time she was about to cause trouble. "I think Monwoah likes you."

I nearly dropped the screwdriver in my hand.

Monroe choked on air.

Kaleigh laughed so hard she slipped underwater.

I didn't even think.

One second I was standing beside the pool.

The next I was in it—fully clothed.

Not because Kaleigh was in any danger. The little fish popped back up at the exact same moment I hit the water, giggling like she'd just won the lottery.

"Oh!" she squealed. "Daddy's in!"

"So much for staying dry," Monroe laughed.