Page 1 of Forgettable in Every Way

Jules

“WINSTON, WOULD YOU SAY I’M invisible?” I plopped down beside my parents’ white English bulldog on a rare cluster of soft sand on the mostly rocky beach, feeling foolish for talking to a dog. Poor guy was panting hard, even though we’d barely gone a mile around the lake. He hadn’t gotten much exercise lately. I sighed, thinking about the reason why, as I looked out at Aspen Lake.

The lake, unlike my heart, was a sea of tranquility with a soft June breeze blowing across the surface. The scents of lilac and barbecue filled the air as the sun began to set. It painted the sky a beautiful array of oranges, pinks, and purples. The sound of waves lapping against the shore played against the muted laughs and conversations from the nearby lakefront homes, just like my parents’ house. I closed my eyes and reveled in the feel of the warm evening sun on my skin.

Moments like these would help me get through each day I had to spend in my hometown, where I felt the most invisible. Or perhaps it just felt that way since I grew up here and hardly a soul remembered who I was. It’s only six weeks of my life, I thought, comforting myself. I should be able to get my parents packed up and their lake house redecorated enough to list it as an Airbnb in that amount of time. Then it would be back to LA, where being invisible doesn’t feel so lonely.

My parents hated to move out of their gorgeous home, but since Dad’s stroke almost seven months ago, right before Thanksgiving, everything changed. Except ... I was still invisible.

Winston rested his big squishy head on my bare leg, as if to say he could see me. I rubbed his head. “Thanks, big guy.” At least I was still visible to dogs. That’s a win, right?

My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I slid it out of the pocket of my cutoffs. The name on the screen made me smile—Calista. My saving grace and one of the few people in this town who remembered me.

I clicked the green button and accepted her call. “Hello.”

“Hey, spy girl. Are you back in town? Why didn’t you call me?”

I laughed. One day she’ll be disappointed when she finds out what my actual job is. Not to say it wasn’t an interesting career choice and that some of my clientele’s names wouldn’t make her squeal. That was if I were at liberty to say, but it’s all confidential. “Sorry, yes, I’m here. I wanted to get a walk in by the lake before it got dark.”

“I hope you aren’t too bummed to be home, because we have a lot of partying to do in the next few weeks.”

Calista is getting married next month to the love of her life, Tristan Granger. It was a second chance romance at its finest. If ever two people deserved a happily ever after, it’s them.

“I can’t wait. My bridesmaid dress came in.” It was a simple short, blue sundress. Very Calista-like. She wasn’t about all the fanfare. She and Tristan were having a quiet wedding on the lake’s beach in the same spot where they had their first date seventeen years ago.

“Ooh. Bring it to lunch tomorrow. By the way, how are your parents?”

“Well, they forgot I was arriving today, so the same as always.” One would think they would remember their daughter was coming and be grateful for it. Especially considering I was rearranging my summer—and life—for them. I’m not even able to work while I’m home since I require a secured space. Regardless, my sisters voted for me to help our parents because they believe I have no life since I’m not married and don’t have children. “Well, you know, except my dad,” I lowered my voice. “He hates using his walker, and he hardly talks because it takes so much effort for him to say things the way he wants to say them.”

“Acceptance is hard for anyone, especially regarding changes in health,” Calista said wisely in her best doctor’s voice. She’s been a rock star doctor and friend, making sure I always know exactly what Dad’s doctors are saying. She had even been instrumental in getting Dad into the best rehab center back in December.

“I’m trying to remember that, even though it’s hard to be home.”

“I know you feel invisible. But just so you know, I very much see you, and I’m so glad you’re back in Aspen Lake.”

I stretched my legs out and rubbed Winston’s head. “You’re the best. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. You’ll have to fill me in on your evil soon-to-be in-laws, and we have to talk about Josie Cavanaugh’s new pirate book.” I fanned myself just thinking about To Wed a Rogue Pirate, the sequel to To Love a Rogue Pirate.

“Oh my gosh, it was so good,” she said breathily. “Guess what? Josie is coming to my bridal shower.”

No surprise there. Calista had, after all, delivered Josie’s baby—in a car that had caught on fire no less. Ever since then, the famous author has been Calista’s biggest fan.

“I’m excited to finally meet her.”

“She’s going to love you. Be prepared, though: Stella is going way overboard on the bridal shower.” Stella was her sister. I may have had a hand in exposing her ex-lover as a criminal. Sometimes my job really comes in handy.

“I’m sure it will be great,” I offered before I turned and did a double take of a shirtless man running my way. This wasn’t an unusual occurrence on the lake’s shore, but unless my eyes were deceiving me, there was nothing usual about this man. “Um ...” I started to hyperventilate. I blinked several times, hoping my eyes were playing the biggest trick of all time on me. “Calista,” I whispered, panicked.

“What’s wrong?”

I stood as fast as I could, trying to gently pull up Winston, who was more than happy to continue to rest. “Please, buddy,” I begged him.

“You’re scaring me. What’s going on?” Calista asked.

“It’s him,” I could barely say for my throat constricting. I was sure of it. It was the curly, dark hair, along with his build. We’d run together several times around Central Park, and I had memorized everything about his body, right down to the strawberry-shaped birthmark on his left shoulder. I couldn’t make it out just yet, but there was no doubt in my mind that if I didn’t move quickly, I would see the red mark I had longed to kiss.

“Who?”

“You know, the ‘So This Is Love’ guy.” The first time I met Simon in a little coffeehouse, that song immediately popped into my head and played on repeat every time I saw him, for months. The instant connection to him was something I had never experienced before—or since.

---