A Million Little Things (Mischief Bay, #3)

“The date.”

Pam opened her mouth, then closed it. “D-date?” Her mind went totally blank.

“When a man asks a woman to dinner with the idea of getting to know her better, it is generally called a date.”

“I don’t date.”

“So you said earlier, but as you have just been on one, I’m going to have to say that you are wrong.”

“I... You...”

The valet drove up with her SUV, saving her from babbling more. A date? She’d thought he was going to ask her to help him buy Zoe a present or something. But come to think of it, shopping for his daughter had never come up.

He walked her around to the driver’s side of her car and tipped the valet. Before she could figure out what to say or do, Miguel leaned in and lightly brushed his mouth against hers.

“Good night, Pamela. I’ll call you in a few days and do my best to convince you to go out with me again.”

As she had no reply for that, she got into her car, closed the door, waved and drove away. It was only when she was safely home and soothing a miffed Lulu with bits of duck and scallop that she allowed herself to consider the fact that she very well might have just been on a date. The realization left her feeling guilty and uncomfortable and maybe just the tiniest bit excited about seeing Miguel again.





Chapter Eight

Thursday Zoe showed up with a box of scones and high hopes for her afternoon with Jen. She was also a little nervous, as this was their first post-intervention meeting. While Jen had been friendly enough in their recent texts, maybe all wasn’t forgiven and forgotten.

She tapped lightly on the front door. Seconds later, Jen opened the door. The two women stared at each other, then Jen rushed forward and hugged her.

“I’m sorry,” Jen said. “For not being a better friend.”

“I’m sorry, too. I should never have come over with your mom. It wasn’t right.”

Jen stepped back and shut the door behind Zoe. “I get why you did it. I’m so focused on Jack all the time. Everyone is telling me to lighten up. I get what they’re saying, but hearing the words doesn’t make me any less scared about how he’s developing.”

“I was wrong to judge,” Zoe said, and meant it. Sure she thought Jen was overly involved, but that wasn’t her call. She thought about mentioning her second thoughts about the intervention but didn’t see the point. Not only would it be throwing Pam under the bus, but she had in fact showed up. Therefore she had at least half the blame.

They went into the kitchen. Jen started making tea as Zoe unpacked the scones.

“Tell me what’s going on with you,” Jen said. “How’s work? How’s the house? The barbecue was great, by the way. We had such a good time.”

“I’m glad. I’m doing okay.”

“Just okay?”

Zoe sat at the kitchen table. “I don’t know what to do about my life.”

“Oh, is that all?”

Zoe smiled. “Yeah, yeah, dramatic much? I get it.” She sighed. “I don’t know if I made the right decision to give up teaching. I don’t want to go back, but I sure don’t like what I’m doing now. It’s boring and I feel really isolated.”

Jen poured boiling water into the teapot, then carried it over to the table. She’d already set out cups and saucers, along with a tea strainer.

“Plus, you thought you and Chad would be married by now, right? Maybe with you pregnant?”

Zoe had to admit that was true—even if now she couldn’t imagine why she’d stayed with Chad as long as she had. “I don’t know why I thought he was the one. I let him lead me on for years. I was an idiot.”

“You were giving him the benefit of the doubt. Any second thoughts about dumping him?”

“No,” Zoe said firmly. “We are totally done. I swear. I don’t hate him. I don’t miss him. I wish him a really good life. Just not with me.”

“I’m so glad. I never liked him.”

But being a good friend, she wouldn’t have said that before. “My dad told me the same thing last weekend. Apparently it was a fan club of one.”

Jen picked up a white chocolate chip scone and broke it in half. “I saw you hanging out with Steven at the barbecue. Are you seeing him?”

“Sort of. Maybe. Yes.” Zoe ducked her head. “Is that too weird?”

“That you’re dating my brother? No. Before Dad died, I would have warned you off. He was not into relationships. But he’s different now. More settled. I think you two would be an interesting couple.”

“Interesting?”

Jen grinned. “Yes. And fun. Because everyone wants to be the fun couple, but so few of us can be.”

Zoe laughed. This was the Jen she enjoyed. The friend who was interested in everyone around her. The woman who was more than just Jack’s mother.

“How are you feeling?” Zoe asked. “Better?”

Jen’s smile faded. “No. Kirk and I are fighting. I know you didn’t tell him about coming by with Mom, but it’s like he was in the room. He’s on me to put Jack in day care a couple of days a week. He thinks I should go back to work.”

“What do you think?”

“I miss teaching, but how could I leave Jack in one of those places? I want to be the one he spends his time with.”

“I don’t know enough about babies to have an opinion on that,” Zoe said carefully, not wanting to upset their renewed connection. “Do toddlers need socialization with other kids?”

“Yes.” Jen sounded more frustrated than happy. “It’s an important part of development. So I need him in a playgroup. I just can’t find one I like. My mom is the only one I trust to take care of him for me. And I doubt she’s going to be willing to do that more than she is now. She’s busy all the time.”

“So do you want to go back to work?” Zoe asked.

“I miss teaching. I miss my students.”

Jen had been an elementary teacher when Zoe had met her.

“What about you?” Jen asked. “Is middle school English calling you back?”