A Million Little Things (Mischief Bay, #3)

He picked up a barking, dancing Lulu and rubbed the side of her face. “How’s my rocker chick girl?” he asked. “Feeling good? I like the shirt.”

It was a lavender one proclaiming Lulu as a Hot Babe. Probably not politically correct, Pam thought, but she liked it.

They walked into the kitchen. Pam got Steven a beer and poured a glass of white wine for herself. She pointed to the table.

“You must be hungry.”

He eyed the food. “You didn’t have to go to any trouble.”

“I don’t mind. It’s nice to cook for someone.”

Her son hesitated a second before sitting down. When she was settled across from him, she sipped her wine. “So what’s up?”

Time and practice allowed her to read her children fairly well. She could tell whatever Steven wanted to talk about, it wasn’t horrible, but he was nervous. If not work then...

Zoe, she thought, doing her best not to smile. Of course. They’d fallen in love. It was serious and he wanted her to know.

While it seemed a little quick, she wasn’t surprised. They were great for each other. She’d guessed that from the start. Now that Zoe was over horrible Chad, she could get involved with Steven. Maybe he wanted to get engaged! She would like another wedding in the family. Plus, with no mother of the bride, she could help. She’d loved being a part of planning Jen’s wedding.

“It’s about Zoe,” Steven began.

Pam did her best to wait patiently. “Uh-huh?”

“I like her a lot.”

“I’m glad. She’s lovely. Smart, kind. She and Jen have been friends for years.”

“I know.” He looked at her.

For a second, she was reminded of how much he looked like John at that age. If only her husband was still with them, she thought with a combination of love and pain. He would be enjoying all of this.

“I see a lot of potential with her,” he continued. “I think she might be the one.”

“It’s a little soon for that, isn’t it?” she said before she could stop herself. “How well do you know her? I like her and she’s been Jen’s friend forever, but you have to be sure before you jump in.”

Steven grinned. “Oh, Mom, it’s nice to know that some things never change.”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m sure you do. How you love to assume the worst about any situation. At least we all know where Jen gets her crazy from.”

“I’m not crazy.”

“I know, I know.” He held up both hands. “I’m simply pointing out you go right for the worst-case scenario. And you know what? Sometimes things work out for the best.”

She pressed her lips together but didn’t speak.

His smile faded. “For what it’s worth, I’m going to take it slow with Zoe. I just want you to know, she’s important to me.”

She liked all that he was saying, but there was still something. “What aren’t you telling me?”

He paused for a second, and then said, “She’s pregnant.”

“What?” She nearly came out of her chair. Lulu looked up from her bed, as if concerned there was a crisis. “That’s not possible. Did you do it the first day? What—aren’t you wearing a condom?”

“Mom. Stop. You’re not listening.”

“Pregnant? Are you sure?” Pam felt her stomach drop. No. That wasn’t possible. Zoe being pregnant so quickly would ruin everything.

“It’s not my baby.”

Pam blinked. Not his? No... “It’s Chad’s baby? She had sex with Chad? When? They were supposed to have broken up? Did she cheat on you?”

“Stop talking,” he said gently. “Let me finish before you start jumping to conclusions.”

“How can I not jump?” She pressed her lips together. “Fine. Talk.”

“A couple of months ago, Zoe and Chad hooked up. It was a onetime thing.”

He kept talking, explaining about a birth control shot gone wrong and an unexpected pregnancy. Pam listened, as he’d requested, but every new statement hit her like a slap.

Zoe had told her that she’d had sex with her ex, but at the time, Pam hadn’t cared. Things were different now. Zoe was dating her son. And pregnant with another man’s child. It was totally unacceptable.

“Is she keeping the baby?”

A ridiculous question, she thought the second she asked it. Of course she was. Otherwise, why would anyone need to know?

“She is.”

Of all the... Pam drew in a breath as a more horrifying thought occurred to her. “Why did you tell me you liked her? You’re not staying with her, are you? You can’t keep seeing her.”

“Mom,” he began.

“No. Listen to me, Steven. You don’t need this kind of trouble. You don’t want to have to deal with someone else’s kid. Do you know how difficult that will be? Chad will be in your life every single day. You won’t be able to escape him. You won’t even be the baby’s father. Chad will get his say and you’ll have to do whatever he wants. Plus, she slept with him once. How do you know she won’t do it again?”

“Mom!”

“I’m simply pointing out she’s obviously not as over him as we all thought. Who’s to say she won’t go back to him?”

“She won’t.”

“So she says now. I don’t like this, Steven. It’s not right. You deserve better.” There was so much danger, she thought frantically. How could he not see that? He could be hurt—desperately hurt. Zoe and Chad would have all the power and Steven would have nothing.

He stared at her. “I thought you liked Zoe.”

“I do, but this is different. You’re my son.” She sensed he wasn’t listening. Or if he was, he wasn’t understanding. “I’m serious. You don’t need this kind of hassle. No one does. Walk away while you still can. Let her go. You’ll find someone else. There are lots of attractive, smart women out there who would be thrilled with you.”

Her son’s expression hardened. “Stop it. I mean it. I appreciate that you want to take my side in this, but you really need to stop talking before you say something we’ll both regret.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m not giving up Zoe. I meant what I said. I think we have something special and I want to see it through.”

“Even though she’s pregnant with someone else’s child? Even though you’ll never really be that baby’s father? Even with Chad and their past?”