“Yet?” Her sister asked, also latching onto that one very important word. “So, that means you’re finally going to get your head out of your ass and let something good into your life?”

“I want to.”

April laughed and pointed down the hallway. “You’re saying that as if the woman who is currently throwing a goddamn birthday party for your son wouldn’t date you at the drop of a hat.”

“Blair isn’t the problem. It’s me .”

April sighed, clearly sick of having this same conversation over and over again with Erin. “The problem is that attitude. It’s not your fault that Dad left. It’s not your fault that your ex-wife turned out to be a complete douche. I feel like you’ve done such a good job of convincing yourself you  caused those things to happen that you figure it’s just a matter of time before you scare someone else away, but you can’t live like that. You’re going to end up pushing away the people who actually matter; the ones who would never leave you if you just gave them a chance.”

Erin wanted to ask her sister how to stop blaming herself, but before she had the chance, Blair walked back into the hallway. She stopped when she saw Erin and April, most likely both looking like they had just been caught doing something wrong. “Sorry. I was just coming to make sure you two were okay.” Blair pointed her thumb behind her. “If you’re having some secret sister talk, I can go though.”

“No. You should stay.” April took a few steps away from Erin and closer to Blair. “My sister was just telling me how great you are. I think maybe she should tell you instead.”

April shot Erin a smile over her shoulder, then walked down the hallway, leaving Erin and Blair alone.

Blair closed the space between her and Erin, the cocky smile on her face getting more pronounced with each step. When she was practically toe-to-toe with Erin, she leaned forward and rested her hand on the door behind Erin, essentially pinning her there. “So, you think I’m pretty great, huh?”

Erin couldn’t help but smile back at her, and her breathing picked up due to their close proximity. “I think I said you were okay. ”

“Just okay? Are you sure about that?” Blair leaned even closer to Erin, causing her heart rate to pick up now too. “That’s not what you were saying last week when I—”

Do not pull her upstairs. It’s inappropriate. This is your son’s birthday. But, fuuuuck. Erin used all the strength she could muster to gently push Blair away. “You can’t talk to me like that right now.”