Page 5 of Falling Together

“Okay.” Erin nodded slowly. “I guess with studying psych, you probably know all about the stages and what he should be like at this age. You probably know more than me, if I’m being completely honest.” Erin laughed nervously. This interview was clearly way outside of her comfort zone, which made Blair wonder why her husband wasn’t there to help.

“Honestly, not really. I can’t say I paid super-close attention to all of that since I’m not so sure I even want kids.” Blair cringed internally as soon as the words were out of her mouth. That was definitely not the right thing to say and the look on Erin’s face told her that she wasnotimpressed.

“Sounds like my ex,” Erin said under her breath, her eyes going wide when they reached Blair’s, and she put a hand over her mouth as if she was trying to push the words back in. “I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

Truthfully, Blair was kind of happy she had. It took the focus off of the stupid thing she had just said. “Don’t worry about it. I get it. Men are dicks.”

“That may be true, but in this case, it was a woman who was the dick.”

Now, it was Blair’s eyes that went wide. “You mean you’re…” She couldn’t even say the word because she was so surprised. Her hot, possible-future-employer was into women? She loved and hated that fact all at once. Her fantasies (which was all they could remain) would be such sweet torture.

“I’m gay,” Erin responded flatly. “Is that going to be a problem for you?” She stared at Blair with a new fire behind her eyes.

Oh shit. She thinks I’m homophobic?Blair quickly shook her head. “Absolutely not. I’m gay too. I was just surprised, I guess.”

Erin’s face visibly relaxed. “Isn’t it crazy how we do that? We get so offended when straight people assume we’re straight, but then we go and do the same thing.”

Blair could feel her face turning red as she stared down at the floor and rubbed at the back of her neck. Erin didn’t seem mad, but that didn’t change the fact that she wasreallymessing this up. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I jumped to the conclusion of you being homophobic before I even considered the fact that you might be gay too, so it looks like we’re both guilty.”

“I guess so.” Blair laughed as she tried to think of anything to say to clear this awkwardness that had settled between them. “So, I take it your wife was the one to carry Nolan?”

“Why? Because he looks nothing like me?” Even though Erin was clearly trying to keep her voice light, Blair could tell she had struck a chord again.

“No. Not at all. I meant because you look so good. You definitely don’t look like someone who had a child inside of you at one point.” Blair cringed once again. Probably alsonotwhat she was supposed to say.

Erin’s face turned beet red, but the slightest smile played on her lips. “That’s very nice of you to say, but I did.” She cleared her throat and patted her stomach. “I carried Nolan. He’s genetically my ex’s, but that certainly doesn’t mean anything sinceI’mhis one-and-only mom now.”

Ouch.Erin’s ex clearly did a number on her. Blair didn’t have to know her well to see that. It was written all over her face. Pain, loss, disappointment. “I’m really sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize for giving me a compliment. It’s a bit inappropriate if you’re babysitting my son, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t nice to hear.”

“Oh, that’s actually not what I was apologizing for.”Even if I should be. “What I meant was I’m sorry your ex put you through all of that.”

“Well, that’s really not something we need to get into.” Erin quickly stood from the couch and walked over to the bottom of the stairs. “Nolan, are you okay up there, sweetie? Do you need my help?”

“No. I do it myself,” Nolan yelled back.

As if she didn’t hear him, Erin hurried up the steps. After a few seconds, Blair heard Nolan complaining about how he was a big boy and assumed that meant Erin was now in his room.

“No! I do it right!” Nolan’s voice echoed throughout the whole house.

Don’t worry, buddy. You weren’t the one to mess up. It was me.Blair threw her head back against the couch and squeezed her eyes shut.There’s no way I’m getting this job.

Chapter 3

Erin

Erin took much longer than she needed to fix Nolan’s swimsuit. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to face Blair after she had run away from just one mention of Bianca. Blair and Bianca—of course their names had to be similar, just like their looks. She was sure people would easily assume Blair was Nolan’s mom given her long wavy brown hair and eyes so dark they almost looked black. Erin clearly had a type, because she couldn’t help but realize how hot Blair was, a fact she was trying to erase from her brain, because it was wrong on so many levels. Not only was Blair ten years younger than her, but she was also most likely going to be Nolan’s babysitter, which basically made her Erin’s employee. Even if all of that wasn’t enough, Erin could never be with someone like Blair who didn’t want kids. She had made that mistake once. There was no way it was going to happen again.

She shook her head at herself. Why was she even thinking about this? A pretty girl gives her one compliment and all she can think about is the reasons they should or shouldn’t be together? It was pathetic, honestly.I need to get laid.She laughed out loud at the thought. That clearly wasn’t happening anytime soon.

“Why you laugh, Mommy?”

“You’re silly, that’s why.” Erin tickled Nolan, which she hoped would make him forget all about her strange behavior.

“Stop, Mommy. I…wanna…go…pool,” Nolan said between giggles.

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