Page 50 of Falling Together

Erin blew out a long breath as though Blair had just asked her the hardest question in the world. “I don’t know. Read books to Nolan? Go to the pool?”

“Those are great things, but what else?” Blair wanted to know more about Erin. She wanted to knoweverything.“What do you like to do that doesn’t involve Nolan?”

Erin shrugged again. “Sometimes I read adult books after Nolan goes to bed. I’m a big fan of psychological thrillers. Honestly, I don’t spend much time without Nolan. It’s not really possible as a single mom.”

“Well, if you ever want to go out with friends after work or something, I can watch him longer. I really don’t mind.”

Erin laughed as though Blair had told a joke. “That’s the thing. I’ve dedicated so much of my life to Nolan, especially after Bianca left, I kind of lost touch with all of my friends. Even if I had the time to hang out, I really don’t have the people anymore.”

It broke Blair’s heart to hear Erin had given up so much for Nolan. She knew Erin would do it again without a second thought, but she shouldn’t have to. Sheshouldhave help.Fucking Bianca.Just thinking about her made Blair’s blood boil. She couldn’t waste her energy on that bitch right now, though.

She reached out and squeezed Erin’s hand, trying her best to ignore the sensation it sent throughout her body. “Well, now you have me.” And Blair’s head was already spinning with ideas of how she could prove to Erin just how much she meant those words.

***

“Aren’t you at the beach with your girlfriend right now?” Marisol asked as soon as she picked up Blair’s call.

Blair looked around the room as if Erin was somehow going to hear Marisol from the other room of their suite where she was napping with Nolan. “Yes, I am at the beach with Erin and Nolan right now. They’re asleep, and I have a huge favor to ask you.”

“Okay, I’m intrigued. Go on.”

“You’re done with work now, right?” Blair already knew the answer to that question, but it seemed like a logical place to start.

“You know I am. Remember? I gave you a hard time when I found out you were leaving me the first week I actually had time off this summer.”

Blair rolled her eyes. Of course Marisol wouldn’t let her get away with asking dumb questions. “Yeah, yeah. Okay. Anyway, are you still dating your camp boyfriend?” This was another question Blair was pretty sure she knew the answer to due to the recap Marisol had given in excruciating detail about how they snuck off for a quickie in the woods the week prior.

Marisol laughed. “Yes, we’re still dating, because we’re not ten. He wasn’t mycamp boyfriend.We’re two adults who met while working at a children’s summer camp together.”

“And how many times did youtwo adultssneak off to have sex while working at said summer camp?”

Marisol was quiet for a few seconds before she finally spoke again, this time her voice not nearly as cocky. “Touché.”

“Perfect. I have a proposition for you.”

“Could you please stop dragging this out and just tell me what the fuck you want?”

Blair laughed at her friend’s attitude. She loved this bitch so much. “I would like to offer you a long weekend at the beach in exchange for one little favor.”

“I’m listening…”

“Come down tomorrow and watch Nolan for a few hours, and I’ll get you a hotel room for you and your boy toy through the weekend.”

“You want me to watch the kidyou’resupposedto be babysitting while you take his mom on a date?”

“It’s not…” Blair lowered her voice to a whisper in case Erin woke up. “It’s not a date. I just want to do something nice for her. She never gets the chance to hang out with other adults, because she’s too busy being the world’s best fucking mom. I want to give her a few hours to have fun with someone who isn’t a child.”

Much to Blair’s surprise, Marisol cackled in response. “Sorry. Sorry. I just find it hilarious that you think hanging out withyoudoesn’t mean she’ll be hanging out with a child.”

“Whatever. I’m twenty-two.” Blair was trying not to let Marisol’s words sting. She knew Marisol was just joking, but the age difference between her and Erin was one of the glaringly obvious obstacles standing in the way of them ever becoming more than friends.

“Twenty-two going on thirteen,” Marisol said between more laughter.

She wasn’t exactlywrong, but Blair wasn’t in the mood for her teasing right now. “Are you going to do it or not?”

“Ouch. For someone asking for a favor, you’re not being very nice right now.”

Blair sighed. Marisol wasn’t wrong. “I know. I’m sorry. I just really want to do something nice for her.”

---