Marisol’s eyes went wide in amusement, and she let out a low whistle. “Meeting the fams, huh? This is getting serious.” She waved her hand in a go on motion. “I need details. How did this happen? When did you invite her?”

“It happened on Monday, but I didn’t invite her. My dad did.”

“Hold up! What ?” Marisol jumped from the bed and made a mind-blown sign over her head. “She already met your parents? And your dad invited her to the Fourth of July party just like that?”

Blair nodded. “I brought Nolan here on Monday, because the public pool was closed. When Erin came to pick him up, my mom invited her for dinner. Then, my dad proceeded to invite her and her whole family to our Fourth of July party. I think they are overcompensating since they know she’s a single mom. You know how my parents are. They mean well but take things too far sometimes.”

Marisol sat back down. “I guess I’m more shocked that she actually said yes.”

Blair hesitantly put one hand in the air. “That’s kind of on me. I told her I really wanted her to come. Practically begged her to say yes.”

Marisol laughed. “Of course you did.”

Blair sat down next to Marisol and petted Moon, who had followed her onto the bed and laid down right beside her. “It’s not like that. I got this strange feeling that she realized my parents had ulterior motives. Well-meaning motives, but still. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel like people were taking pity on her. I know she wouldn’t want that.”

“Okay. That actually makes sense. But why did you wait until today to tell me? We’ve texted every day this week and even hung out on Wednesday night. You didn’t say anything.”

“That’s because I was putting off hearing what I know you’re going to say next.”

“And what would that be? That this totally isn’t a lush anymore?”

Blair cringed. “Yep. That would be it.”

“Luckily, you didn’t need me to say it since you clearly already realized that.”

“I know.” Blair lay back on the bed and Moon moved with her, pushing against her side like a needy child. “What the hell am I supposed to do? I can’t have a crush on the mom of the kid I babysit for and clearly my original plan to distance myself isn’t working. So, what now?”