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Erin had to admit that the offer was tempting. The thought of a week away with NolanandBlair sounded pretty damn amazing, which probably meant theyshouldn’tdo it. How could she control herself under those circumstances? “I don’t know if that’s the best idea. Given our… situation.”

Blair smirked that trademark smirk of hers and it definitely did not help the butterflies taking flight in Erin’s stomach. “Oursituationbeing how kissable my lips are?”

Erin couldn’t help but laugh. Blair, somehow, made everything feel lighter and less stressful. “I don’t know. I might not be able to find them anyway with how big your head is becoming.”

Blair put her hand over her chest as if she was offended. “Ouch. That hurts. I have feelings too, you know.” She elbowed Erin in the side. “Come on. What do you say? It could be fun.”

It really did sound fun in theory. And maybe this was good. If they were going to be friends, they needed to be able to hang out without the constant longing. This could actually be therapeutic for Erin. “You know what? You’re right. Let’s do it. Nolan would love it if you came.”

Blair’s smirk returned once again. “Just Nolan?”

Damn her.“Okay. I might like it just a little bit too.”

Chapter 15

Blair

“Bear! Bear! It’s time for the beach, Bear!”

Even from her bedroom, Blair could hear Nolan loud and clear as soon as her mom let him and Erin in the front door, and that high-pitched voice made a wide grin spread across her face.

“Just a minute, bud.” She rushed around her room throwing things into the bag she hadn’t started packing until about fifteen minutes earlier.

Even though she wasn’t quite sure what she was saying, she could hear her mom speaking animatedly to Erin and Nolan. Her mom had been so proud when Blair told her she was going on this trip to help out with Nolan that Blair actually felt a little bit guilty. It’s not like she had lied to her mom, per se, but her reasons for going might not have been completely selfless.

She was not going to worry about that now, though. She was about to go on vacation with two of her favorite people in the world, and nothing could ruin her good mood. She whistled as she shoved the last of her things into her suitcase, slammed it shut, and continued to whistle as she made her way downstairs.

Her mom lifted an eyebrow at her as she skipped over to them. “Someone’s excited.”

Excited was an understatement, but Blair wasn’t going to actually let on to her mom why.“Well,someonedidn’t plan a family vacation this summer because she thought I needed to get a job and learn how to be responsible. Now, I get both.”

“Bear, what’s ’sponsible?”

Before Blair could answer, her mom replied. “It’s something Blair had a lot of trouble with before this summer.”

It took everything in Blair not to glare at her mother. Erin clearly thought Blair was too immature to date. She didn’t need her thinking she wasn’t even mature enough to form a real friendship.

Instead of addressing her mom’s comment, Blair focused her attention on Erin. “We should probably get going before the traffic gets too bad.”

All three of them said goodbye to Blair’s mom, before Blair quickly shut the door to avoid any more embarrassment.

“Bear! Sit with me!” Nolan said as he grabbed her hand and ran toward the car.

Blair looked back at Erin. “Only if it’s okay with your mommy. If she needs a copilot, I’ll have to sit up front with her.”

She couldn’t decide if she’d rather help Erin navigate or goof off with Nolan, so she figured it would be best to let them fight over it.

Erin waved a hand at them. “You two have fun. The map on my phone will be a great copilot.”

Blair bent down to put up the hand Nolan wasn’t holding for a high five. “It looks like it’s you and me, buddy.”

“Yay!” Nolan hit her hand so hard he made it tingle, then pulled her the rest of the way to the car.

After everyone settled in their seats, Erin turned on the map and some music and they were on their way. With Nolan’s nonstop chatter and entertainment, the hour-and-a-half ride went by in no time. Blair couldn’t believe it when they pulled into the parking lot of their hotel that was just two blocks from the beach.

As soon as Erin parked, Blair jumped out of the car and ran around to the other side to get Nolan out. She put him on her shoulders, then went around to the trunk to grab the bags.

She pulled all three bags out and stacked Nolan’s smaller bag on top of her suitcase, so she could clumsily take them all. “You go check in. I got this,” she yelled to Erin.