“You’re right. It doesn’t sound like a good match. You mentioned she was a part of your group? So you and she and Alex grew up together?”

Pamela was comfortable again on familiar ground, where Mia wanted her, for the moment. She said, “I’m sure you understand, Mia, that certain families share long histories. Alex, Kent, Juliet, and I, along with a score of others, were thrown together as children and grew up together. It was normal for us, it was our accepted milieu, if you will.”

Mia chuckled. “Sounds a bit like inbreeding.” Before Pamela could decide whether to be insulted, Mia said, “Did you attend any of Alex’s lacrosse games at Bennington Prep or at Harvard?”

“No, I attended school in England, with Juliet actually, but of course I know about the championships they won. I believe I already mentioned Alex was and still is an amazing athlete.”

Mia quickly called up a photo she’d transferred onto her iPad that showed Alex holding up a trophy, turned it for Pamela to see. “He looks triumphant, doesn’t he?”

“Oh yes. I remember he wrote me how proud he was, but he gave all the credit to his teammates. That’s Alex.”

That’s a lie, Pam, but smoothly done. Mia suddenly looked more closely at the photograph. “Oh goodness, his earlobe—it looks like his earlobe’s been ripped. Maybe playing lacrosse?”

Pam looked closely, frowned. “I don’t see anything.”

“I guess I’m mistaken, but I understand lacrosse is a very physical game, always the possibility of injury.”

“I suppose so. Boys were always getting injured, but nothing serious I can remember.”

Mia didn’t pause. “Do Alex and Kent still game a lot?”

Pamela blinked, gave an elegant shrug. “They don’t play all that much as adults, they’re far too busy with business responsibilities. And now, of course, Alex is running for mayor of New York. But I don’t mind them playing now and then since it seems to relax Alex. It’s probably healthy for him.”

“Me? I might be jealous. You really don’t mind?”

“Of course not. I’ve teased him about it, but Alex just laughs since he’s also a great one for jokes and teasing himself. And did you know Alex coached Little League in Roxbury?”

“How very giving of him. I imagine your family is excited about your becoming the first lady of New York City?”

“My parents always counsel never to count your chickens, but of course it’s their fondest wish that I be at Alex’s side when he wins the election.”

“And your interior design business? As you know, the mayor’s wife has many obligations.”

“I know, and I accept that my business might suffer with my move to New York. But still, I will find time to work, and my family has many friends with apartments in the city.”