A Million Little Things (Mischief Bay, #3)

Pam usually battled with mixed feelings when she left on a trip. Of course she was excited to see her friends and whatever the cruise ports would be, but she also felt a twinge at leaving her family behind. But this trip was different. With the exception of missing Lulu and her friends, she was grateful to be leaving Mischief Bay for three weeks. She needed the time away. Maybe being somewhere else for a while would help her clear her head.

She’d texted all three of her children, reminding them of her trip. Brandon, who knew nothing about the Zoe issue, had responded with a friendly phone call. The other two had texted back, wishing her well, but nothing more. A far cry from their usual chitchat about where she was going and what she would be seeing.

She knew that Steven and Jen were still upset with her, even though she was right and they were wrong. Well, fine. Let them stew while she was gone. Things would be different when she got home.

She left her plane at JFK and walked toward baggage claim. Olimpia’s flight from Orlando was due in about the same time and they had arranged to meet up and share a cab to their hotel. Laura and Eugenia should have already arrived. In the morning the four of them would fly to Copenhagen where they would spend two days before boarding their ship.

Pam found her two large bags, then checked her phone for a text from her friend. Olimpia was only a couple of carousels away. She sent a message back, explaining where she was and they started to walk toward each other.

Pam spotted Olimpia first. At the sight of her friend, she felt her control start to slip. By the time they were hugging, Pam was in tears.

“What’s wrong?”

“Everything’s a mess. Steven, Zoe, Miguel. It’s because of Zoe. Okay and maybe me. I’m the one who set her up with Steven. If I hadn’t done that, none of this would have happened. Of course if she hadn’t slept with Chad, things would have been okay, as well. I thought I was doing the right thing, but it’s a disaster.”

Olimpia patted her back. “That’s quite a list. Let’s get a cab and you can tell me about it on the way to the city. We’ll meet up with the girls. You’ll feel better after cocktails.”

“But I don’t know what to do.”

“Pam, you’re going to Europe. You don’t have to do anything until you get home.”

An hour later they arrived at the Peninsula Hotel in midtown. Pam had explained everything to Olimpia, including how the world seemed to be siding with Zoe, even though there was a very good chance she was going to break Steven’s heart.

They checked into their rooms and agreed to meet in a half hour. Pam only bothered with one of her bags. She’d put everything she would need before the cruise in one case. The second suitcase would be unpacked on the ship.

She went down to the Bar at Clement where she found her friends waiting for her. Based on their expressions, she knew that Olimpia had already shared her troubles. At least she didn’t have to go over it all again.

“I don’t want to talk about my ridiculous family,” she announced. “How is everyone else?”

“We’re good,” Eugenia said as they hugged.

Laura shifted over to give Pam room on the bench seat, then scowled. “Dear God, you are in such good shape. It’s annoying. How often do you exercise?”

“A few times a week.”

She thought of the workouts at her friend Nicole’s studio. Workouts that Zoe had joined her for. Which probably wouldn’t be happening now. Pam felt a twinge of regret. Not that she wanted to be friends with Zoe anymore—she didn’t. But Pilates would be good for Zoe’s pregnancy. There was something so magical about seeing a woman’s body change and knowing there was a new life waiting inside. Bouncing back from a pregnancy was hard enough—if Zoe continued to practice Pilates, she would find it easier.

Someone should tell her, she thought wistfully. Only Zoe’s mother had passed away and Pam wasn’t sure Jen would think to mention it. There were other things...

Pam reminded herself she wasn’t on Zoe’s side anymore so she shouldn’t care about how well she did or didn’t do after her pregnancy. Still, if circumstances had been different, she would have enjoyed having another baby in her life. She loved them when they were newborns. That sweet smell, the way they relaxed so completely in her arms. There was nothing quite so wonderful as rocking a newborn.

“Earth to Pam,” Laura said. “Are you still with us?”

“What? Oh, sorry.” She looked at her friends. “What were we talking about?”

“We were discussing our cocktail schedule,” Eugenia told her. “The cruise is just too dang long for us to have a single drink we depend on.”

Olimpia looked amused. “Did you just say dang?”

“My Texas is showing,” Eugenia said with a laugh. “Sorry. My gentleman friend and I have been spending more time together than usual and his accent rubs off on me. My point being, we need to rotate what we’re drinking.”

“We’ll be in Russia for a few days.” Laura smiled. “We should definitely have a vodka-based drink. It’s only polite.”

“We don’t have to decide now.” Olimpia looked around the table. “As long as we have our New York cocktail decided. Agreed?”

They all nodded.

“I believe it was my turn.” Eugenia drew in a breath. “Bellinis. Champagne is always appropriate, especially before a trip like the one we’re going on.”

“Bellinis it is,” Laura said, and flagged the server.

They placed their order. Their server left small bowls of nuts and olives for them. When he’d left, Olimpia glanced at them.

“So how is everyone doing? Any news?”

Laura shrugged. “I’m good. Pam, should we be worried about you, with everything going on?”

“I’m fine. Just trying to figure things out.”

“Poor Steven.” Laura’s expression was sympathetic. “He’s got some tough decisions to make. I know you’re staying neutral, but on the inside, you must be dying to tell him what you think.”