Blaine chuckled once again. “All the time. This is definitely her favorite job she’s ever worked.” He squinted his eyes as his smile grew. “It certainly helps that it’s the only  job she’s ever had, but between you and me, I think it’d be her favorite either way.”

Of course. Blair talks about her job and Nolan . She doesn’t actually talk about Erin, a fact that shouldn’t have hurt quite as much as it did.

Blaine waved a hand at her. “Did anyone show you where the pool bathroom is?” When Erin shook her head, he began to walk back in the direction of the house but veered to the left before he came to the sliding glass door. He opened the door to a bathroom that was bigger than the master bathroom in her house, complete with a shower. “You can help Nolan get changed here.” He pointed to the opposite wall. “That door over there goes into the garage, which then leads into the kitchen, so feel free to go through there once you’re done.”

After getting Nolan dressed in dry clothes, they walked through the garage and into the kitchen as instructed. As soon as she opened the door, the most amazing scent hit her nose. Erin had no idea what Brandy was cooking, but given the smell, it had to be amazing. She was so distracted by the wonderful aroma of a home-cooked meal, she almost didn’t notice Brandy setting the table.

“It smells wonderful in here. Thank you so much for having us.” Erin motioned toward the table. “Could I help you with that?”

Brandy scoffed. “Absolutely not. You’re our guest. Plus, you just got done with a long day of work.”

“I don’t mind. I’m sure you had a long day as well.” Erin remembered Blair telling her that her mom was a pharmacist, so she was sure her job was far from easy. The fact that Brandy could come home and still find enough energy to cook for her family was very impressive.

“Today was my short day, which is why I am the one making dinner tonight. Most nights it’s either Blaine or takeout.” Brandy stopped sorting the dishes to smile brightly at Erin. “There is one thing you can do for me.”

“Anything.”

Brandy nodded down the hall. “Go upstairs and get that daughter of mine moving. I swear we can never start a meal on time when she’s home. I don’t know what she does up there.”

Erin swallowed hard. This is why you never agree to anything before knowing what you’re agreeing to. “Of course.” She put her hand on Nolan’s shoulder. “Let’s go, sweetie.”

Nolan shook his head. “I stay down here with Bear’s Mommy.”

Traitor. “She’s trying to get everything ready for dinner. I don’t want you to get in the way.”

“No. I help.”