Blair threw her hands in the air. “For God’s sake.”

Nolan grabbed Blair’s leg and rested his whole body up against her. “What’s wrong, Bear?”

“The pool is closed.”

“B-but why?” Nolan’s eyes drifted to the ground and his lips turned down into a frown. Blair really thought he might start to cry.

“I don’t know, dude. Some little brat probably shit in the pool.” Okay, not her smoothest moment, but she was pissed off that Nolan was upset.

“B-but I thought we were going to spend all day swimming.” He sniffled, and Blair knew the tears were coming.

Shit. What the hell do I do? I don’t want him to be sad. Her heart tugged in her chest as she watched Nolan struggle to keep his tears in. Then an idea popped into her head. It was a terrible idea for someone who was trying to keep her professional and personal life separate, but she didn’t have another choice. She had promised Nolan the pool, and she refused to let him down.

Blair knelt down in front of Nolan and took his hand. “You know what? We might not be able to go swimming here, but I know where there’s another pool where we can swim.”

Nolan looked up at her, a sparkle to his eyes that wasn’t there a second before. “Where?”

“My house.”

Nolan’s body began to wiggle. “You have a pool?”

“Well, technically, it’s my parents’ pool, but I live with them, so it’s my pool for now, too.”

Nolan tilted his head and wrinkled his eyebrows as if he was confused. “You live with your parents?” He stabbed his pointer finger into his own chest. “Like me? Adults don’t live with parents.”

Don’t I know it, kid. “Can I tell you a little secret?” When Nolan nodded, Blair ruffled his hair the way she always did. “I’m not really an adult.”

“You’re a kid?” Nolan pointed to himself once again. “Like me?”

Blair laughed. “Yes. Like you. I’m just a little bit bigger.”

Nolan held his arms out from his body. “You’re a lot  bigger.”

“Hey, now, be nice or I might not take you to the pool.”

“No! Pool!” Nolan brought his hands together in a praying motion and pushed his bottom lip out. “Please.”

“I was just messing with you. Of course we’re going to the pool.” Blair cringed when she remembered one very important detail. She couldn’t really take Nolan somewhere without letting Erin know. Why didn’t I think of that before? “Just as long as your mom says it’s okay.”