Let's make good things happen

 Mia did her best to smile. Really, it was good to have an outing of sorts with Shelly and Odin. She would do her best with Stu even if he was something of a sleazeball. Of course, she'd seen worse. He just needed attention. Evidently.

"Now remember, dinner is on me?" She told them as soon as they were seated. "Order yourself a meaty steak, loves," she'd kept an open grin as she ordered herself the fish while Shelly only wanted a burger.

"Are you sure?" Mia winced thinking dear little Shelly was a waif of a thing. "Then make sure to get the pudding or a slice of cheesecake, too?"

Of course, Shelly was in such a fret. Especially, when the boys went off to the loo.

"Has it been a bad day?" Mia was concerned.

Shelly only pressed a frown.

"We'll think of something," Mia stacked the menus neatly as if she might have been part of the team here. "I think the shop would be big enough for an in-store coffee shop. We could put in a little stage, too. Maybe open mic night for poets and singers and such."

Mia couldn't tell if Shelly was warming up to the idea. As soon the boys were back the salads came around and then it was time for the main entree.

Naturally, Stu made himself at home. He drank more and finished off his salad and the bread without any hesitation.

Mia looked at him wide-eyed. It was as if he was something right out of Dicken's novel. It was puzzling.

"Any idea about a new book for the group?" She then noted, that perhaps a classic like a Dicken's classic might be charming.

"Oh, all I can think on is The Christmas Carol and you know, little Tim," Stu festered a gaze toward Mia who practically flinched.

"It's past Christmas now. It's the heat of July. Something suspenseful and new," Shelly chimed in.

"Right, suspenseful," Mia nodded. Really, once the food arrived she kept her mouth shut and drank another glass of wine or two. It was as if she needed to show up this old mate of Odin's. Were they even true friends?

Evidently, Odin could read her mind cause he started with how they knew each other since year four in school and how they'd formed a band once upon a time.

"And we sang here when it was a pub," Stu smiled as if they might be ready to sell her something.

"Oh really, did you know them then?" Mia looked to Shelly who hadn't taken three bites of the huge burger she ordered.

"Not really," she shrugged. 

Mia winced once more. Why was it so hard to get to know Shelly? Really, all Mia wanted was to know her. Was that really so difficult?