I couldn’t imagine ever walking away from you. What did she mean by that? Why did she say it? Did she just want to make Erin feel better or did she actually feel that way? It couldn’t really be how she felt, right? She was Nolan’s babysitter. She barely knew Erin, aside from everything she had let slip out today. But was Blair just  a babysitter? Because ever since those words slipped out of her mouth, Erin wanted to correct her and tell her that she was so much more than that. But if she was more than that, what was she? Erin shook all of this from her mind. She had too many questions, many of which would, and could, never be answered.

Nolan tugged on her hand. “Mommy! Mommy! Do you want to go in the pool?”

That’s the last thing I want to do. “Do you want me to?”

Nolan shrugged. “I don’t care. Bear does better throws.”

“Then it sounds like I better get in with you, huh?” Blair said, before flashing Erin a wide grin that made her heart race in ways it shouldn’t. “Is that okay, Mommy?”

“Go for it. I’d rather stay dry anyway.”

“Perfect.” Blair picked up a giggling Nolan and started to run toward the pool. “I hope you’re ready for this.”

She jumped in with him and when they popped out of the water, they were both laughing together. It was a breathtaking sight that Erin couldn’t take her eyes off of.

“You found yourself a pretty good babysitter there.”

Erin looked beside her to find her sister standing there. How long had she been there? “Yeah. She’s wonderful. Nolan loves her.”

“Oh yeah?” April gave her a mischievous grin. “I don’t think he’s the only one.”

Erin’s mouth immediately went dry, and she struggled to form any words. Her ears rang as what her sister said settled in. Was she trying to say that Erin loved  Blair? That was ridiculous. Erin had a very strong appreciation for Blair and sometimes had thoughts she needed to push off to the side, but that didn’t actually mean anything. “Wh-what are you talking about?”

April held both hands in the air. “I’m just saying. I haven’t seen you look at anyone like that since Bianca.”

Just the mention of that name broke any spell Erin was under. “You mean the woman who tore my whole world apart?” Erin scoffed. “Yeah, I’d rather not  have another one of those in my life.”

“You should invite her to go on vacation with us,” April said as if she had ignored everything out of Erin’s mouth. “Blair. Not Bianca, obviously. Bianca is a bitch.”

“Invite her to the beach? Why the hell would I do that?” And why does that idea sound so tempting?

“To help with Nolan, of course.”