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Erin got out of bed and knelt beside Blair, putting a hand on her knee in the process. “One of those fun things is tonight, when we get to go to Blair’s house. Which means you need to get ready for school so I can pick you up early to go over there.”

“Yay!” Nolan yelled before sprinting out of the room.

When Erin and Blair both stood up, Erin turned toward her and booped her on the nose. “And I will seeyoutonight, birthday girl.”

Erin had offered to take the day off from work since Blair’s daycare was closed for a long weekend for Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, but Blair convinced her to save her days off for something more important. It wasn’t that Blair didn’twantto spend her birthday with Erin. It was actually the opposite. If she could, she would spend the whole weekend with Erin and Nolan, which she was sure was exactly what she would end up doing, so she needed to spend some time with her family and Marisol today.

“See you tonight!” Blair turned to walk out of the bedroom, but before she could, Erin grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

“Forgot something.” Erin pulled her closer and placed a hard, but sweet, kiss on her lips.

When Blair walked out of the room this time, she felt like she was floating.

***

“Where’s the birthday bitch?” Marisol shouted when she walked into Blair’s house a few hours later.

Blair left the family room where she had been hanging out with her parents, who had also both taken off from work for the day, and walked to the front door to find Marisol standing there with her arms stretched out wide, waiting for a hug.

Blair hadn’t realized how much she missed her best friend until she was standing right in front of her. Even though Marisol was in Philadelphia for school, which was a little less than an hour from where they lived, they still hadn’t seen each other since Marisol moved into her new apartment in August. Blair didn’t know if that had more to do with how busy Marisol was with school or how busy she was with Erin and Nolan. Either way, she was so happy to see her now, and vowed to herself she wouldn’t go this long without seeing her again.

Blair stepped into Marisol’s hug and wrapped her arms around her as well, squeezing her extra hard to try to convey how much she missed her. “Dude, it’s been way too long.”

“You’re telling me. I’ve been busy with school. What’s your excuse?”

“I’ve been kind of busy too.” Blair tried to hold her smile back, but it was no use. Every time she thought about Erin, she couldn’t help but smile. Erin had been a lot more affectionate lately, and Blair hoped that meant they were getting closer to finally becoming official.

Marisol pointed at the stairs then started pushing Blair toward them. “Up to your roomnow.You’ve been holding out on me. Now you have to tell me everything.”

Blair followed Marisol’s direction and once the two of them (and Moon, of course) were inside, Marisol closed the door. With her arms crossed in front of her chest and a no-bullshit look on her face, she said, “What’s going on with you and Erin andwhydon’t I know about it?”

Blair shrugged. “There’s not much to tell. We’re still in the same boat. She’s not ready to make things official, so we’re just kind of letting things come as they do for now.”

Marisol stared at Blair for a long time before a wide grin spread onto her face. “Given that lovestruck look on your face, I’d say something’s definitely coming and thatthingisyou.”

Blair burst into a fit of laughter. It really had been a long time since Blair and Marisol were together, because Blair should’ve seen that coming and she didn’t. “You’re not wrong. I have been coming a lot, but it’s mostly my own doing while picturing her face.”

Marisol scoffed at her. “That was so fucking cheesy, I’m not sure if I should love it or hate it. Also, don’t think I missed the fact that you saidmostly.”

“So, we might have had sex just one more time, and it might’ve been fucking mind-blowing… again.”

“I mean, it better be for how little you’re getting laid,” Marisol said with a laugh.

Even though she knew Marisol was only joking around, she couldn’t help but get defensive on Erin’s behalf. “It’s not about that. The sex is great, but it’s such a small part of our relationship, I’m not even worried about that.”

“Shit.” Marisol’s smile dropped as she tilted her head and studied Blair’s face. “You’re in love with her.” The way she said it made it sound like it was a death sentence. “Please be careful.”

Blair tried not to roll her eyes. Why was everyone telling her that recently? “Now you sound like my mom.”

“Of course I do, because your mom is a smart fucking lady, and even though you’re an asshole at times, we love you like crazy for some reason.”

Blair crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Erin isn’t going to hurt me.”

“I don’t know Erin all that well, but from what I’ve seen, I think you’re half right. I don’t think she would ever hurt you on purpose. But I’m afraid you’re in so deep that you’re going to let her drag you along until you have nothing left to give.”

Blair loved Marisol, and while she knew Marisol was only having this conversation with her because she cared, it still wasn’t what she wanted to hear right now, so she couldn’t help but be bitter. “Wow. Happy birthday to me.”

Marisol’s face softened and she walked over to Blair and grabbed her hands. “You’re right. We shouldn’t be talking about this when we’re supposed to be celebrating. If you promise me you’ll be careful, I promise I won’t bring it up again.”