Blair smiled over at Erin, which made Erin’s stomach do a somersault, then focused back on Nolan. “That means I have to buy all of the cheese that makes your mommy’s mac and cheese so tasty.”

“You come back tomorrow?” Nolan asked, as if he were seriously considering his options.

Blair nodded. “I will.”

“No!” Nolan said matter-of-factly.

Great. This is not a battle I feel like having right now.

Before Erin had the chance to tell Nolan he needed to be nicer to Blair, he spoke again. “I want you to stay.”

“Stay?” Blair looked at Erin as if she was waiting for her to tell her what Nolan meant.

The problem was, the only thing Erin thought that could mean was that Nolan wanted Blair to stay the night. A terrible idea that also sounded pretty amazing at the moment.

“Yes. Stay tonight and make mac and cheese after you wake me up.”

Blair looked at Erin once again, but this time she shrugged. “I’m okay with it if you are, but I’m going to have to borrow some clothes.”

Erin really needed to get her hormones under control, because she felt like she might cry again. Still, as much as she wanted Blair to stay, she also needed to think about Blair’s wellbeing. “I don’t know. I’m worried if you stay, we'll get you sick.”

Blair waved a hand at her. “I have an awesome immune system. I’ll be fine.”

Yeah, I thought I had a good immune system before I had a child too. Erin shook her head at herself. Nolan is not her child, and you can’t expect her to step into that role.

“Is that a no?” Blair asked.

Erin shook her head once again. “Yes. I mean no.” Erin groaned at herself. She had no idea what she was even saying anymore. “What I mean is that I want you to stay.”

Blair’s face lit up as though Erin had just told her she wanted to take her to the fanciest restaurant in town, not said she could stay at their germ-infested house. “Awesome. I can’t wait.”

“Me either.” Seriously. I’m way too excited over this.

Blair took Nolan to the kitchen and sat at the table with him while he ate his soup, but insisted Erin stay on the couch and rest more. Erin tried to argue, but it was no use. Blair wasn’t budging, so Erin followed her directions and shut her eyes once again. She tried to fight sleep so she could help Blair clean up dinner, but it was a losing battle. Within seconds, she was drifting off once again.

***

“Psh. Erin. Wake up.”