After introductions were done, Nolan offered (or more so demanded) to show Erin’s family the pool, leaving Erin and Blair behind.

“So, I take it you still have your ex’s name?” Blair asked, internally reprimanding herself as soon as the question was out. That’s none of your business.

“No, actually. My mom switched back to her maiden name after my dad left us, but she kept our last names the same because she thought it would be too confusing for us if she changed them.” Erin clenched her jaw. “I really wish she had though. I hate sharing anything with that man.”

“I’m really sorry.” Blair didn’t actually know anything about Erin’s family. Before today, she didn’t even know their names, which made sense since she and Erin never really had personal conversations. The fact that Erin’s dad clearly left her and then her ex-wife did the same to Nolan, broke her heart.

Erin looked out into the distance as if she was trying to avoid looking at Blair. “It’s okay. I’m not even sure why I said that out loud. I don’t need to bore you with all of my past traumas.”

Before she could overthink it, Blair reached out and squeezed Erin’s hand. “You could never bore me.”

Her words caused Erin to turn her head, and when those eyes met Blair's, she was transported right back to that moment they were having when Erin first walked in. Blair swallowed hard as she watched Erin bite her bottom lip and bring her eyes to Blair’s lips, almost as if she was thinking about kissing them as much as Blair thought about kissing hers.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, and as much fun as it was to imagine, there was a time and place to do it and standing by the front door at her parents’ house was not it. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think someone would have to be an idiot to leave you.”

“Yet people seem to have no trouble doing it,” Erin said with a strained laugh. She blinked her eyes in what looked like an effort to hold back tears.

Blair nodded toward the door. “Do you want to go for a walk?”

Erin shook her head. “You don’t need to do that. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

“I know I don’t need  to. I want  to.” She squeezed Erin’s arm, but this time, more playfully. “Come on. I’m sure Nolan is going to keep your family occupied for at least a few minutes giving his grand tour, so what do you say?”

Erin smiled, and for the first time in the past few minutes, it was a sincere smile that actually reached her eyes. “Okay, let’s go.”