Page 62 of Falling Together

Blair squeezed Erin’s hand as if she realized she needed the reassurance she didn’t have anything to worry about. “I got a job at a daycare. Not Nolan’s. As much as I would love that, I don’t think I’d be able to treat him the same as every other kid, so I figured working there wasn’t the best idea.” Blair shook her head and turned her body more fully toward Erin. “Anyway, I didn’t want to tell you about the daycare job because I didn’t want you to think I only applied for it to prove something to you. It’s not like that at all. Watching Nolan this summer showed me how much I enjoy children. Then, I saw an ad for a daycare that was hiring. It’s within walking distance from my parents’ house, so it almost seemed like fate or something.”

“Wow. That’s…” Erin lost all of her words as her gaze drifted from Blair’s eyes, which had a look so sincere it made her lose her breath, down to her lips. Lips that somehow looked even more inviting after Blair’s confession. This woman became more and more perfect every single day, and Erin could hardly stand it. Erin laughed and shook her head at herself. “God. Why is you telling me you got a job at a daycare such a turn-on? It’s taking all of my self-control not to kiss you right now.”

“I wouldn’t stop you.” Blair smirked and wiggled her eyebrows, and the move was so sexy it definitely did not make the urge to kiss her any less.

“I just… I can’t.” In three weeks, Blair would be done watching Nolan and they would no longer see each other every day. Blair would get busy with her own life, and it probably would not take her long to get over the crush she had on Erin. If Erin stayed strong now, it wouldn’t hurt as badly when that inevitably happened. At least, she hoped it wouldn’t. She couldn’t go through another heartbreak.

“I figured.” Blair’s smile dropped as her eyes also dropped down toward the bed. When she looked back up, her smile came back, but it didn’t reach her eyes this time. “You know, there issomethingI wish we could’ve done that night at the beach that we didn’t.” Erin swallowed hard as her mind raced with all of the things Blair could be talking about, and Blair must have noticed because she chuckled in response. “Get your mind out of the gutter. It’s nothing sexual. I was going to say that I wished I could’ve fallen asleep with you in my arms.”

Be still my heart.Blair’s words were too perfect, and the little smile on her face was way too cute. Even if Erin should say no, even if it was the smartest way to protect her heart, she couldn’t do it. “I guess it couldn’t hurt, right?”

Blair’s smile grew. “I mean, I’ve never heard any reports of nighttime snuggles killing anyone, so I think we’re safe.” She held out her arm, and Erin easily fell into her as if that spot was made just for her.

Chapter 21

Blair

Blair sighed as she got into her car. Even though it was only Tuesday, it was her first week not babysitting Nolan, and she missed him and Erin already. She had thought about calling Erin when she was walking home from work on Monday to ask her if she wanted to do something, but she didn’t want Erin to think she was overbearing.

She had chosen to drive today because she thought driving two minutes instead of walking ten would keep her from calling. The only problem was now that she was in her car, her internal autopilot didn’t drive to her house. Instead, she headed straight to Erin’s. When she pulled into Erin’s neighborhood and saw her house in the distance, she thought about just turning around. Because, really, who just shows up at someone’s house completely uninvited?

Unfortunately, she was about to turn around when Erin’s front door opened, and Nolan came running out. Of course, Nolan was great with cars and recognized Blair’s right away. He jumped up and down and pointed at her car while he said something to Erin that Blair couldn’t hear.

Well, no turning back now.

Blair pulled into the driveway and waved to Nolan, who now stood right beside her car. She kept the car on and rolled down her window, because she didn’t want to assume that Erin would want her to stay. “I just happened to be in the neighborhood…” She let her voice trail off as soon as she realized what a terrible lie that was.

“In the neighborhood, huh?” Erin asked with a laugh, clearly not buying it. “Funny. I didn’t realize our neighborhood was a thoroughfare to get anywhere.”

“Okay, you caught me. I missed you two.”

Erin looked like she wanted to say something in response, but before she could, Nolan answered. “We missed you too, Bear! So, so much. I missed you lots, and Mommy missed you more.”

“She did, huh?” Blair asked as she looked from Nolan to Erin. She loved the way Erin’s cheeks immediately turned red in embarrassment. It was so fucking cute Blair could hardly stand it.

“It appears I’ve been called out as well.” Erin smiled and it made the rest of the world disappear. All that existed was the two of them, and Blair could’ve spent all night staring at the beautiful woman standing outside of her car. Erin put her hand on the car and leaned closer to Blair’s open window, almost looking like she might kiss her. Unfortunately, she stopped before their lips were close enough to meet. “Since you’re here, do you want to come in? Nolan was just about to go for a ride on his scooter, and then I’m going to make something for dinner. You’re welcome to stay for both if you’d like.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.” Blair really hoped Erin was sure because there was nothing she wanted to do more than spend time with these two. Honestly, she would stay forever if Erin would let her.

“Of course. Nolan would love it.” Erin leaned even closer and lowered her eyes. “I would love it too.”

Blair didn’t need to hear anything else. She turned off her car and hopped out without another word.

After doing a lap around the neighborhood, chasing after Nolan on his scooter, they went inside to make dinner. Blair took a deep breath as she entered the house, taking in the smell she had become so accustomed to. Even though it had only been a few days, walking into Erin and Nolan’s house felt like coming home after a long trip.

“So, what are we making for dinner?” Blair asked as she followed Erin into the kitchen.

“We?” Erin asked with a laugh. “You’re the guest, which meansI’mdoing the cooking.”

“I’mthe guest who essentially invited herself over, so I feel like it’s only right if I help out.”

“You know what would actually be a huge help?” Erin pointed toward the family room where Nolan was standing on his head on the couch. “Make sure he doesn’t kill himself while I’m making dinner.”

“I can do that!”

Blair walked into the other room, grabbed Nolan, and held him over her shoulder. He giggled as he kicked his legs and tried to break free. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you want down?” Blair asked as Nolan continued to laugh and kick at her.

“Yes. Put me down, poopy butt.”

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