Who is Pamela MacLean in the novel, Almost Paradise?

Pamela MacLean is a doctorate candidate at NYU when Nicholas meets her. Nicholas finds Pamela exciting and quickly begins an affair with her. The affair continues for two years, during which Nicholas leaves Jane and buys a house with Pamela in Santa Barbara. However, Nicholas soon finds himself thinking about Jane frequently. Nicholas is very unhappy. Therefore, when Jane is in an accident and Nicholas realizes he still loves her, he ends his affair with Pamela. Nicholas recognizes the affair as a mistake and regrets all the lost time.