A Million Little Things (Mischief Bay, #3)

“Steven!”

He shrugged. “I’ll talk to her. She’s not going to make me choose, Zoe. She’s a smart lady. She’ll come around.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“Let’s worry about that if it happens, okay?”

“But that’s so logical.”

“Take a walk on the wild side.”

“I did that once and now I’m pregnant.”

He laughed. “Speaking of that, when’s your next doctor’s appointment?”

“I have my very first official visit on Monday. When I went before, it was more of an assessment than a hey, you’re having a baby kind of thing.”

“Can I come with you?”

She looked at him. “To the doctor?”

“Uh-huh. I want to be there through everything.”

“Why?”

He reached for her hand again. “Zoe, I care about you. Haven’t I been clear on that? You’re pregnant. I’m going to do what I can to help.” He swore. “Do we have to wait for the visit to make love?”

She felt her mouth drop open. She consciously closed it before telling herself that bursting into tears would only frighten him. Stupid hormones. But how else was she supposed to react to a man who not only wanted to keep dating her, he wanted to go through the pregnancy with her and have sex with her?

“We’re allowed to do it,” she told him. “It’s okay.”

“Do it?” He raised his eyebrows. “Is that how you think of our emotional and physical joining as we become one? I’m just a sex toy? An object? I don’t matter at all?”

She held in a giggle. “I believe the correct phrase is boy toy. A sex toy generally has a battery.”

He pulled his hand away and sighed heavily. “You’re using me for sex. I’m crushed.”

“Too crushed to get it up?”

He turned toward her. “Never that. Should I prove it to you right now?”

She put down her drink and held out her arms. “Yes, please.”

*

Pam decided the world had gone mad. There was no other explanation. Despite knowing better, Steven had yet to call her and apologize for what he’d said. She hadn’t heard from Miguel and as for Zoe, well, she wasn’t going to think about her anymore. Zoe was the source of all the trouble.

After feeling at loose ends for several days, Pam decided she needed a little time with her favorite grandson and went over to Jen’s. Her daughter opened the front door.

“Hi. Did I know you were coming by?”

“No. I should have called. Is this a bad time?”

Jen let her and Lulu into the house. “It’s fine. Jack is down for his nap and Lucas is watching some horrible daytime television. He’s become totally addicted to those weird talk shows where everyone overshares.”

They walked through to the family room. Pam crossed to the slider and let Lulu out. Her little girl had gone potty before they left, but she didn’t want to take a chance. Not with Jen being so uptight about keeping the house perfect.

Pam sat in the sunroom. Jen had changed out the cushions last summer. The new pattern was nice. Not what she would have chosen, but still very pretty.

Jen picked up a few of Jack’s toys and put them in the toy box. Her movements were deliberate, as if she had something on her mind. Pam knew her children well and could guess that Jen was once again going to obsess about Jack. Pam decided to speak before Jen could get started.

“Have you talked to Zoe?” she asked, hoping she sounded more casual than she felt.

“What? Not in the last day or so. I did before. Why? Is everything okay?”

“How would I know? I’m not speaking with her.”

Jen frowned. “Why would you say that? Because she’s pregnant? Mom, you know it’s not her fault, right?”

“She had sex with Chad.”

“So? It was a post-breakup thing. It happens.” Jen studied her. “You didn’t say anything to her, did you?”

“I said she should stay away from Steven. That he deserved better.”

“Oh, my God!” Her daughter stared at her. “Tell me you’re kidding.”

“I’m not. Why would I be? You know it’s going to be a nightmare. Chad won’t go away. She was in love with him before. What if she decides she’s still in love with him? Then where will Steven be? He’s better off ending things now. Before they get out of hand.”

“Is that what you really think?”

“Why are you surprised?”

“Because it’s mean and not like you at all.”

Pam shifted in her seat. Her daughter’s steady gaze seemed very judgy. “I’m doing what’s best.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Stop looking at me like that.”

Jen shook her head. “I honestly don’t know what to say. Steven can take care of himself, Mom. We all can. You made sure of that. You should trust him.” She hesitated. “Is this about Dad?”

“What does your father have to do with anything?” Pam thought about adding that John would agree with her, only she was suddenly less sure about that.

“You lost him suddenly. It was hard on you.” Her voice gentled. “You can’t protect us from the bad stuff in life, Mom. Steven knows what he’s doing. You should be on his side in this and on Zoe’s.”

“Steven’s family. Zoe is not.”

“Zoe’s my friend. I thought she was your friend, too.”

“You’re looking at this all wrong,” Pam told her, frustrated that she couldn’t make anyone understand why this was so important. “They’ve only been dating a few months. So what if they break up? It was probably going to happen anyway. It’s not like Steven has a great track record when it comes to relationships, and based on Chad, Zoe’s taste can’t be trusted.”

“What on earth is wrong with you, Mom? You sound so vicious and heartless.”

“I’m being practical.”

“You’re being a bitch.”

Pam stared at her daughter. “You don’t get to speak to me that way.”

“Then stop acting so awful. What’s wrong with you? Zoe made one mistake and now she’s dealing with it. She could have had an abortion, but she decided to keep the baby. I would think you would respect that and her. She’s a good person. If she and Steven fall in love, then they’re both really fortunate to have found each other.”