Blair woke up alone in her bed, sunlight spilling lazily through the curtains. Maddie had slept over in her room the night before, but at some point, she'd snuck off — probably to cuddle up with Caleb.
Stretching, Blair grabbed her phone from the nightstand and checked the time. A small thrill ran through her as she spotted her email confirmation — the tickets for tomorrow's art exhibition were booked.
Her and James. Saturday. Just the two of them.
Still in her pyjamas — soft pink shorts and a white tank top — she brushed her teeth quickly, excitement buzzing in her veins. She stood in the middle of her room, phone still in hand, debating what to wear.
"It's just an art exhibition," she told herself.
Except... it wasn't just an art exhibition. It was James. And she liked him. And it mattered.
With a dramatic sigh, she started pulling clothes out of her closet. Within minutes, her room looked like a hurricane had passed through — dresses, jeans, shorts, cute tops, even her emergency heels were tossed on the bed and floor.
She flopped onto the bed, defeated.
"What do girls even wear to an art exhibition with a boy they like?" she groaned.
Her phone buzzed. Blair sat up, hair messy, clothes surrounding her like a nest.
It was a message from an unknown number:
Unknown Number: Hey princess.
Blair blinked.
"Who the hell—?" she muttered.
She figured it was Jack, the quarterback who had been weirdly persistent lately. She shrugged and replied a simple Hi before tossing the phone aside.
Still in her pyjamas, Blair left her room and padded down the hall. She knocked lightly on Cassie's door.
"Come in!" Jazmine's voice called.
Blair opened the door to find Cassie and Jazmine sitting on the floor, doing each other's nails — polish bottles scattered everywhere.
"Morning," Blair smiled.
"Morning," Cassie and Jazmine chorused.
"Okay, so," Blair said, stepping inside nervously, "I don't want to make things awkward, but... I was wondering if you guys could help me pick an outfit for my—" she hesitated, "—date with James. Or at least give me relationship advice that doesn't involve someone being secretly in love with my best friend."
Jazmine snorted. "Girl, James is easy. He already likes you. That's enough. Just be yourself."
Blair laughed, feeling her nerves ease slightly. "Okay... noted."
Cassie glanced up from Jazmine's nails. "Where are you guys going?"
"An art exhibition," Blair said, trying to sound casual.
"For your first date?" Jazmine asked, grinning.
"It's not a date!" Blair said quickly, cheeks heating up. "He's never been to an art studio. I just... I wanted to be the first to take him."
"Awwww," Jazmine cooed dramatically. "That's so cute."
Cassie smiled. "Just wear shorts and a nice bodycon top with some cute sandals. Your body and face are the outfit, Blair."
Jazmine nodded in agreement. "Yeah, seriously. Anything you wear will look good on you."
Blair felt her chest warm at their words. "Thanks, guys. That... actually means a lot."
She was about to leave when Cassie called her back.
"Blair," she said softly. "You don't have to feel uncomfortable talking to me about James. I promise."
Blair smiled, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "Okay. Thanks, Cass."
She turned toward the door, calling over her shoulder, "I'll be downstairs making breakfast. Come join me! And tell me about Joseph, please. Maddie's killing me with stories of Caleb already."
The girls laughed as Blair bounced out of the room, feeling lighter than she had in days.
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Downstairs, Blair spotted Caleb, Maddie, and Andrew outside, laughing and splashing each other with water while washing the cars. Caleb sprayed Maddie with the hose, Maddie shrieked, and Andrew doubled over laughing, only to get soaked himself when Maddie grabbed the hose.
Blair smiled at the chaos, warmth blooming in her chest.
She walked into the kitchen, pulling open the cabinets and gathering ingredients — eggs, milk, pancake mix, bacon, and some fruit. She set everything out on the counter carefully, grabbing a pan and placing it on the stove.
First step: batter. She whisked the pancake mix with milk, concentrating hard, biting her bottom lip in focus. Then she poured the first messy scoop onto the pan, hissing a little when it sizzled loudly.
She moved quickly, flipping bacon strips onto another pan, trying to multitask, her tongue poking out slightly in concentration.
Behind her, there was a faint shuffle of footsteps.
James.
He had just returned from his early morning run, a sheen of sweat still clinging to his toned arms. His dark grey running shorts hung low on his hips, paired with a loose black sleeveless shirt that clung to the muscles of his chest and shoulders. His hair was messy in that effortless way that drove Blair crazy, and his sneakers squeaked slightly on the floor as he stepped into the kitchen.
He paused, leaning casually against the kitchen wall, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
He already knew who it would be.
He stood there, just watching her — the way her hair was a little messy from sleep, the way her pyjama shorts hugged her legs, and how her white tank top clung to her body, teasing the curve of her breasts. His eyes lingered a second too long before he cleared his throat, smirking.
"Need a hand, Maybell?" James drawled, his voice rough from the run.
Blair looked up, startled at first, and when her eyes met his, she smiled shyly.
"Hi," she said softly.
James pushed off the wall and strolled over, peeking over her shoulder at the food.
"What's all this?" he asked, pretending to reach for a piece of bacon.
Blair immediately swatted at his hand with her spatula. "Stop stealing! It's not even ready yet!"
He laughed, ducking her half-hearted attempts to keep him away.
Being taller, it was easy for James to lean around her, trying to grab the food as Blair blocked him with her body, both of them laughing, bumping into each other.
In the middle of the playful chaos, James's hands settled naturally on Blair's waist, pulling her slightly closer to steady her. Blair's hands instinctively curled around his neck for balance.
The world felt like it stopped spinning for a moment.
They were close — so close — her body pressed lightly against his, the faintest smile playing on his lips as his fingers flexed gently on her waist.
James looked into her eyes — soft, golden brown and wide with nervous excitement — then down at her lips, then back at her eyes again.
He leaned in, slow and deliberate, and Blair felt her heart thudding wildly in her chest. She tilted her chin up slightly, breath catching, waiting — wanting — for him to kiss her.
Just as James's lips were about to meet hers—
"OHhhh did we interrupt something?" Jazmine's voice sing-songed from the kitchen doorway.
Blair jumped back like she'd been electrocuted, cheeks flaming red as she separated from James, looking like she'd just been caught robbing a bank.
Cassie laughed, elbowing Jazmine. "Blair! I'm gonna kiss you too now!" she teased, puckering her lips dramatically and making kissing sounds.
James rolled his eyes. "Grow up, children," he said lazily, though his smirk was wicked.
He turned back to Blair, flashing her a mischievous look that made her knees weak.
"Raincheck, Maybell?" he murmured, his voice low and teasing before walking out of the kitchen, leaving her there, heart pounding and lips tingling with what almost was.
Blair stood there, dazed, the corners of her mouth pulling into a soft smile.
I so wanted James's lips on mine.
---
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Breakfast was finally ready — a chaotic mix of golden pancakes stacked high, crisp bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs, and bowls of colorful fruits.
Blair set everything on the long kitchen table, still wearing her rumpled pyjamas, her face flushed from the earlier almost-kiss.
Soon enough, the house filled with chatter and laughter.
Caleb and Maddie came in first, both still damp from the water fight outside, with Andrew trailing behind them, shaking his wet hair like a dog.
James returned too, freshly showered and changed into a plain white t-shirt and black joggers, casually sitting at the table like nothing had happened.
Cassie and Jazmine were already waiting, waving Blair over to sit.
Everyone was halfway through piling food onto their plates when Cassie's phone started ringing loudly across the table.
She picked it up, squinting at the screen.
"It's Lily!" Cassie beamed. "Video call!"
She accepted the call and Lily's smiling face popped up, Victor behind her, both looking sun-kissed and relaxed, clearly enjoying their Florida trip.
"My babies!" Lily gushed, blowing kisses at the screen. "I miss you all so much!"
"We miss you too!" Maddie chirped, waving at the camera, a piece of bacon dangling from her hand.
Victor leaned in, laughing. "Looks like you guys are surviving without us. Barely."
James smirked, sipping his coffee. "Key word: barely."
Lily smiled wider when she saw Blair. "Blair, sweetie, you look so beautiful even half-asleep. Are those pyjamas you're wearing to breakfast?"
Blair laughed shyly, tugging self-consciously at her tank top. "Mum!! Don't say that."
Cassie angled the phone so Lily and Victor could see everyone at the table, even Andrew, who mouthed silently, Help me, earning a laugh from Victor.
They chatted for a few minutes — Lily asking how school was, if they were eating properly, if they were being nice to Maddie and Blair. Blair could feel the genuine love through the screen, and it warmed her heart.
Just as the call was winding down, Lily and Victor shared a mischievous look.
"Oh, before we go," Lily said, smiling brightly. "We have a little surprise for Blair and Cassie when we get home."
Cassie's eyebrows shot up. "Surprise?"
Blair sat straighter, curious. "What kind of surprise?"
"You'll see," Victor teased, winking at them. "But trust us — you're going to love it."
Before Blair or Cassie could press further, Lily laughed and ended the call, blowing kisses at them one last time.
Blair set her fork down, exchanging an excited, confused look with Cassie.
"What do you think it is?" she asked, feeling a buzz of happiness she couldn't explain.
Cassie grinned. "I don't know... but I have a feeling it's going to be something really good."
The kitchen was filled again with laughter, clinking forks, and the sound of friends — and almost-family — sharing a perfect morning together.
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