A Million Little Things (Mischief Bay, #3)

She’d thought he might get mad or push back, but Steven being Steven, he only nodded slowly.

“That’s a fair point,” he said. “I am the guy who wants to be a hero, but not this time. I’m here because of you, Zoe. If things keep going, then I know I’m taking a chance. I’m willing to do that.”

She drew in a breath. “If things keep going the way they’re going, I’m willing to take a chance, too. I’m going to have a parenting plan in place for Chad before the baby’s born. There’s no way he’s going to give up the rights to the baby, so you couldn’t be the adoptive parent. But if we, um, well, I’m not saying we’re going to but, if we, you know, took things further, then we could do some kind of...you know...plan.”

She stumbled to a stop, not sure how to say what she was trying to say. Because jeez, it wasn’t like he’d proposed or anything. Heat burned on her cheeks. Would it be too weird to suddenly stand and suggest they get going on that marinade?

He touched her cheek. “You’re saying if we get married then we could do the same kind of thing. Like a prenuptial visitation agreement.” He smiled. “You’re not the only one looking things up online.”

Relief eased through her. “Yes, a visitation plan.”

“I’d like that.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Zoe, I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

He kissed her again. “We’re good?”

“We’re the best.”

*

Pam had one more stop on her apology train. She’d been to see Zoe, she’d spoken with Steven. Now there was just Miguel to deal with.

Taking a page from the brave young women in her life, she’d texted him and asked him to meet her at the pier for a drink. He’d said yes, and now here she was, walking into a restaurant bar to meet a man.

Not just any man either. A complicated, handsome man who had kissed her.

She still didn’t think she was ready to start dating. But she also wasn’t willing to walk away from Miguel. Which left her shaking oh-so-slightly.

He’d arrived before her. She saw him at a corner table by the window. When she approached, he stood and smiled at her.

“Pamela. How beautiful you look. Such a pleasure to see you.”

That voice. It wasn’t fair he had that voice. It was smooth and silky and made shivers dance up and down her spine.

When she was seated, he flagged the server. “May I?” he asked Pamela.

She nodded and he ordered margaritas on the rocks, made with his family’s tequila. Of course.

She’d dressed carefully in a dark red dress that was tighter than she normally wore her clothes. It was sleeveless and just to her knee. Her low heels gave her a bit more height, but not so much that she wobbled when she walked. She’d done her hair and makeup, sprayed on a light mist of perfume, and then worried her nerves were going to make her throw up and wouldn’t that be an impression?

“I spoke to Zoe,” she blurted, figuring she might as well get the apology part over with. “I was wrong to get between her and Steven and I told her that. I also explained why I was worried about what could happen if they broke up. But it’s not my decision to make. I see that now. I can’t protect him from everything. I have to trust him to make the right choices for him.”

“How did she take it?”

“You know she was totally gracious and forgiving.”

He smiled. “I had hoped she would be, but one never knows for sure. So all is well?”

“It is. I hope it is. I don’t know. Is it?”

“Ah, Pamela.” He studied her. “You’re an interesting woman.”

Interesting? Interesting! No! She wanted to be intriguing or mysterious. An article on global GDP was interesting.

“Do I still frighten you?”

“I, ah, you...” She cleared her throat. “Yes.”

“As you do me.”

“Do I?”

The smile returned. “You are more complicated than I’m used to. And there is the issue of you being John’s wife.”

“You remember that.”

“It is impossible to forget.”

“I can’t change who I am.”

“You can change a little. We all just saw that, but I know what you mean. I admire the faith of your love. In my way, I feel the same about Constance. She was special and will always be a part of me. We had Zoe together, just as you had your children. So where does that leave us?”

The server returned with their drinks. Miguel waited until she picked up a glass then touched his to hers.

“I suggest we toast to possibilities and the promise of what might yet be,” he said.

“To possibilities.”

She took a sip.

“And good sex,” he added.

She started to choke. After she finished coughing and put down her glass, she stared at him. “Are you serious?”

He winked. “Never more so.”

A thousand thoughts swirled through her mind. Then a million. There was fear, confusion, worry and the tiniest kernel of anticipation. She’d been alone for two years. While she would never stop loving John, she was close to accepting that the world kept turning and dragging her along with it.

“You’d have to wear a condom,” she said primly. “I’ve heard that people over fifty are the fastest growing demographic for STDs.”

Miguel leaned back in his chair and laughed. The hearty, happy sound came from his belly. She smiled, more than a little smug at his response.

“Oh, Pamela, you are unexpected in so many ways.” He raised his glass again. “To us.”

“To us, Miguel.”

*

The sound of the baseball game blaring on the TV competed with conversation, laughter and Lulu and Mariposa playing some game that involved lots of running in and out of the house, not to mention barking. Jen had long since given up keeping control over the party and decided she was just going to go with it.

Fourth of July in Mischief Bay had dawned clear and warm, with the promise of a perfect evening for fireworks. Jen and Kirk were hosting a barbecue until sunset, then everyone would walk over to the beach to watch the fireworks.

“Let me get the guys to carry out the kitchen table,” Pam said. “Then we’ll put in the leaves and it can be the buffet table.”

“Perfect. I have paper plates in the pantry.”