“Eight years. He just turned nine last month. This little guy and I have been through so much together. I got him at the end of middle school, and he was my best bud through all of high school and anytime I came home from college, of course.”

Eight years ago, Blair hadn’t even started high school yet? Meanwhile, Erin was working a 9 to 5 job and moving in with the woman she ended up marrying. Very different points in life. It was a good reminder of how wrong it was for Erin to fantasize about Blair.

“I didn’t see him when I came in,” Erin said. Anything to keep my mind off of other things.

“That’s because he went to work with my dad today. He must’ve come up to my room as soon as they got home, because he didn’t realize I was already here. He waits on my bed for me to get back each day.”

Well, that’s the sweetest thing ever. “What kind of dog is he? I’ve never seen one that looked like him before.”

“He’s a mix between a chow and a collie.” Blair rubbed his stomach and leaned in to give him a kiss on the nose. “And he’s the best boy in the whole wide world.”

Seeing hot women with children and dogs was a weakness for Erin, so this definitely  wasn’t helping to dampen the feelings she shouldn’t be having. “He’s really sweet,” she said, focusing her attention on the dog so she didn’t have to look at Blair.

“He really is.” Blair quickly jumped to her feet, scaring both Erin and Moon. “We should probably get downstairs, though. My mom doesn’t like when people are late for dinner.”

Blair was halfway down the hall, with Moon on her heels, before Erin could even comprehend what had happened. So strange, she thought before standing to her feet and following after them.

Blair’s parents were exactly as Erin would have expected them to be, having a daughter like Blair, which was to say, they were the nicest people in the world. They spent the whole meal asking her and Nolan questions about themselves, most of which Nolan insisted on answering.

“So, what are you two doing for the Fourth of July this weekend?” Brandy asked when they were all finishing up with their dinners.

“My mom and my sister and her family are coming down to visit.”

Erin was thankful for the reminder since she had almost forgotten it was coming up in just a few days. She didn’t even know what she was doing with them yet, aside from maybe finding a local parade.

“That’s nice. What are you doing with them?” Brandy asked, pouring salt in the wound.

“That’s a wonderful question,” Erin answered with a laugh.

“I know what you’re doing!” Blaine said matter-of-factly. “You’re coming here!”