“Here?” As in back to Blair’s house once again? No, she absolutely could not do that.

“Of course! We're having our annual Fourth of July party. A bunch of friends and neighbors come over and stay late into the night. It’s a really great time, and you’re welcome to invite anyone else you’d like. The more, the merrier.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Erin stared down at her empty plate. She wasn’t sure if Blair’s parents were being so nice because that was the kind of people they were, or if they pitied her for being a single mom. She absolutely hated the thought of anyone pitying her, especially this family. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to invite us just because we happen to be here. We’ll find something to do. It’s no big deal.”

“No.” Blair’s voice was so loud and stern it startled Erin. But when she looked up, the softness of Blair’s expression was in complete opposition to the intensity of her tone. Blair cleared her throat, as if she also noticed how intense she sounded. “We want you all to come. Seriously. Please? It’ll be fun.”

Erin knew she should say no. The fact that she couldn’t force that small word through her lips was reason enough for why she should  say it. But that wasn’t what she said. Before she even realized she was talking, she heard her own voice say, “Okay. Thank you. There’s nothing we’d rather do.”

This is about to get very interesting.

Chapter 11

Blair

Blair paced back and forth in her room as she tried to sort out all of her thoughts. Since it was Friday, she’d normally be watching Nolan, but it was the Fourth of July, which meant Erin didn’t work. It probably would have been a relief to have the day off if Erin wasn’t coming back to her house today. How the hell did she get herself into this mess? She was supposed to be separating her personal and professional life, not bringing them together like two long-lost twins separated at birth.

“Would you please stop pacing and tell me what the hell has you so rattled?” Marisol asked.

Blair stopped and took a deep breath. She needed to tell Marisol now, so she wasn’t shocked when Erin showed up in a few hours. “So, someone is coming today.”

“Okay. Who is it?” Marisol’s eyes lit up. “Is it the girl you were hooking up with? I figured things had fizzled out since you didn’t say anything else about her, but was that because things were becoming more serious?” Marisol wiggled her eyebrows.

“Nope.” Blair shook her head dramatically. “It’s Nolan. And Erin…” Blair hesitated for a moment. “And Erin’s family.”