A Million Little Things (Mischief Bay, #3)

Their waitress arrived with their drinks. Conversation shifted to their plans for the next day and their upcoming cruise through Northern Europe.

Later, after more drinks and dinner, they all walked back to their rooms. Eugenia and Pam were on a different floor than the others. They walked off the elevator together and started down the hall.

“About Miguel,” Eugenia said. “I know it feels strange. At least it did for me. Like I was cheating on Roger, or that I hadn’t loved him enough. But that feeling goes away.”

“I’m not sure I want it to.”

Her friend smiled at her. “I thought that, too. It will never be the same, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be wonderful. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to have someone care about you. That doesn’t mean you love John any less. Just be open to the possibilities.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready.”

“You might not be and that’s fine. Just know that the fear is normal. You can ignore it or deal with it, but feeling it doesn’t have to mean anything.”

“Thank you for that. I am afraid, not to mention uncomfortable. Miguel is just so larger-than-life. I’m totally out of my element.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“Maybe.” Pam was less sure. Still, she felt better than she had earlier. Nothing had to be decided tonight. If she wanted to keep seeing Miguel, that was her choice. If she walked away this second, she still had a perfectly wonderful life of her own.

They reached Pam’s room. Eugenia hugged her.

“Sleep well. When you’re ready to talk about sex, let me know.” Her friend grinned. “It’s kind of interesting to do it with someone else.”

Pam’s mouth dropped open. “Sex? I would never do that!”

Eugenia laughed. “Just you wait. If Miguel is all you claim, then wouldn’t it be fun to check him out naked?”

“You’re drunk.”

“A little, but I’d still say this sober.” She waved and continued down the hall.

Pam let herself into her room. Sex with Miguel? Hardly. She was too old. No way she was going to get naked with someone else. Besides, she’d only ever been with John. That was what they did. She wasn’t going to do that with another man. It would be wrong.

But even as she dismissed the idea, she remembered what it had been like to kiss Miguel. Still, kissing wasn’t sex and there was absolutely no way she was ever going there. Ever.





Chapter Eleven

Sunday morning Zoe and Steven walked over to Latte Da to get coffee. Every second of their night together had been magical. Steven was a gentle, passionate lover. They’d eaten late, and then he’d asked her to stay over. The logistics of her not having any of her stuff and having to feed Mason had sent them back to her place where they’d made love again, this time in her bed, and he’d spent the night with her.

Chad had rarely stayed over. Once she’d found out he was married, she’d realized why he hadn’t. The apartment he’d claimed as his own had actually belonged to a friend. Later, after the divorce, their pattern had already been set, so he’d always gone home.

She’d spent much of the previous night listening to Steven breathing and reveling in the concept of having a man in her bed for something other than sex.

More than once he’d rolled over and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. In the morning they’d showered together, then had decided to go out for coffee. Now, as they walked into Latte Da, she admitted that even though things were moving quickly, she liked the direction—and him.

They collected their order, then went outside to sit in the sun. It was cool, but clear, and the day promised to be beautiful.

“Did you sleep?” he asked, passing her one of the Danishes they’d bought.

“Not much, but that’s okay.” It had been worth it. “You don’t snore.”

“Good to know. Was it my imagination or did Mason climb on my chest in the night and glare at me?”

She giggled. “He’s trying to claim his territory. He’s not used to sharing the pillow.”

Steven raised his eyebrows. “The ex didn’t sleep over?”

“Not very often.”

“Then he’s an idiot on several levels.”

She smiled.

“What are your plans for today?” he asked.

“Nothing much. I’m going to go see my dad later. What about you? Do you—” She stopped talking when she saw a muscle twitch in Steven’s jaw. “What?”

“Nothing.”

She replayed her last couple of sentences. “You don’t like my father?” They’d only met at the barbecue and she’d thought they’d gotten along fine.

“It’s not that.” His tone said it was something.

She looked at him and waited.

“I spoke to my mom Friday morning, before she left for Phoenix. She mentioned that your dad had been over the previous evening.”

Surprising news, Zoe thought, but hardly reason to be upset. “I don’t understand.”

“I think they’re dating.”

Not possible. Pam would have said something to her, wouldn’t she? They were friends. Or at least friendly. Of course Miguel was her father, but she was dating Steven, who was Pam’s son, and they’d talked about that. All things she would take up with Pam when she was home.

“Why does that bother you?” she asked.

“Because of what you said about him. You said he was a player who dated really young women and never had a real relationship after your mom.”

Zoe didn’t remember being that specific, but maybe she had been. “He’s a really great guy. And the stuff with other women was a while ago.” She felt funny defending her father’s dating history, but couldn’t let Steven think badly of him. “I’m sure he would be—” She paused. “Okay, I have no idea how he would be as a boyfriend, and to be honest, it’s not something I want to think about.”

“I’m not enjoying this either. We’re talking about my mom. The thing is, she hasn’t dated since Dad died and they were together from the time she was like seventeen. Miguel is totally out of her league. He’s a man of the world.” Steven groaned. “I can’t believe I just said that. I tried to talk to my mom about it and she wouldn’t listen. I’m worried. If he were some accountant who’d been married a hundred years, it would be different.”