Page 49 of Forgettable in Every Way

Innocently, she placed her free hand over the spot his lips had just departed from, as if Simon had just given her a sacred gift. Simon couldn’t remember the last time a woman treated his affection as something she honored. If only she knew the honor was all his.

She smiled coyly at him and nibbled on her bottom lip, making Simon wish he could have a taste. “I would like you to read the Princess Jewel story to me.”

Simon was pleased Jules was playing along and he hadn’t come on too strong. “It is my favorite.”

“I thought Tolstoy was your favorite author.”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“It must be some book.”

“It is. I can’t wait to show it to you.”

“Daddy, you can’t. You’ll curse her,” Jack adamantly reminded his father. “She has to remember the prince all by herself.” Jack wrapped his arms around Jules’s legs and looked up at her with wide-eyed wonder. “Do you remember the prince yet?”

“I’m trying, Jack,” she promised.

“You need to hurry.”

“Maybe you can give me a hint. Is he handsome?” Jules asked.

Jack grinned a toothy grin. “He’s dashing and dapper.”

“Wow. Dashing and dapper. I hope I remember him soon, then.”

“How about we eat lunch?” Simon interrupted before Jack spilled the beans. He wanted just a little longer to prove himself to Jules before he showed her the photo album. More than anything, he hoped it wouldn’t embarrass her or remind her what a prat he’d been. No. He needed more time to leave no doubt in Jules’s mind that he wanted to explore a romantic relationship with her.

“Lunch!” Jack yelled, letting go of Jules and running ahead of them, back to where they had left the canoe on the shore.

Winston sluggishly tried to keep pace with Jack, barking as he went.

“I’m starving.” Jules squeezed Simon’s hand as they followed Jack, keeping a close eye on him.

“Good. I stopped by the Moon Café and got all your favorites. Ham and cheese on a croissant with a side of fruit, and flourless chocolate cake with the raspberry sauce for dessert.”

“Thanks for remembering.”

“I remember you, Jules. But I want to get to know every part I missed. Let’s start with your spy job.” He was hoping she would finally tell him what she did for a living. Or at least give him a hint. The suspense was killing him.

She laughed and swung their arms between them. “I’m not a spy ... but I can tell you I do occasionally help catch criminals, and I own my own business,” she said proudly.

Simon’s brow raised. “I am intrigued, love. What is the name of your company?”

“Well, not to sound mysterious, but it’s kind of on a need-to-know basis.”

Simon’s brow quirked. “And what do I have to do to know?”

She paused, her eyes searching his, though for what, he didn’t know. “Um ... well ... I would have to trust you implicitly, and you’d have to sign an NDA.”

“I do hope you will trust me, Jules.”

“Me too.”

“In the meantime, tell me more about you.”

“I don’t know.” She blushed. “I’ve traveled quite a bit. Europe, Belize, and New Zealand have been my favorites.”

“Any traveling partners?” Simon wanted to know.

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