Page 68 of Forgettable in Every Way

There were only a few children running around. Jack stood tentatively near his mom, not joining the other children as they chased each other. Simon had told me Jack was normally shy, but I’d found it hard to believe because he’d never behaved that way around me.

Jack’s countenance changed the instant he saw us. He ran up the deck stairs yelling, “Daddy, Princess Jewel, you came!” He sounded happy and relieved.

Penelope’s head snapped in our direction. News flash: she was not happy.

As soon as Jack was to us, Simon gathered him in his arms. “Hello, mate.”

I knelt and ruffled Jack’s hair. “Hi, honey.”

“Can you take me home?” Jack asked, breaking my heart.

I looked up at Simon, not knowing what to say.

Simon picked Jack up, a palpable pain written on his face. “Look at the fun party your mum threw for you. It would be rude to leave now. Don’t you want to ride the ponies?”

I admired Simon for trying to help Jack see the good in his mom, even when he himself was having a hard time with her. Penelope didn’t know how lucky she was to have an ex like Simon.

“I guess so,” Jack responded, so downtrodden. “Will you stay with me when I ride them?”

“Of course.” Simon kissed Jack’s cheek before setting him down.

“I’ll stay up here and watch,” I offered. I didn’t want to give Penelope the chance to land a few jabs in front of Jack. This was his party, and I didn’t want to upset him in any way.

“Okay,” Simon conceded before kissing me. “We’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll pray for you,” I teased.

He half-heartedly chuckled, knowing he probably needed some divine intervention.

I leaned against the sturdy deck railing and took in the view. The backyard was an oasis of vibrant colors—flashy, pink dahlias and impatiens filled several flower beds. It was very Penelope.

My sights landed on my favorite view—Simon and Jack. Jack clung to his daddy while Penelope seemed to wish she could do the same, and inched closer to Simon. The longing look she gave her ex and son honestly made me feel sorry for her. In her eyes I could see that she knew she had given up the best thing she had ever had. Her tragedy was that no matter her life choices, she would never be satisfied. At least not until she made peace with herself. Maybe if she did, she could be the mom Jack deserved.

It wasn’t long before Jack was atop a pony, along with all his “friends.” Several moms and dads stood near their kids, making sure they didn’t fall off. The owners of the ponies were going to lead the kids on a parade through the neighborhood.

Jack waved at me. “Look at me, Princess Jewel!”

I waved back. “You look great, Sir Jack!”

“She hates those cute names you have for each other.” Sean, Penelope’s new, old boyfriend, unexpectedly came up from behind and startled me.

I grabbed my heart and turned around to find the brawny man about ready to pop out of his polo shirt, shaking his head at me. “You’ve really pissed her off.”

It didn’t take a genius to figure that out, so I turned back around, hoping he’d get the hint and leave me alone.

No such luck. He planted himself right next to me.

Even from a distance, I could see the concern in Simon’s eyes. He looked torn about what to do—stay with Jack or rescue me.

I gave him a smile and nod, conveying I was okay and he should stay with Jack. Even if Penelope was walking as close as she could to Simon as they headed for the gate and out of my sight.

Sean was an over-cologner kind of guy. A strong, citrus scent assaulted my nose. I scooted farther away from him.

It didn’t deter him. He ogled me like a piece of juicy, red meat. “Gotta say, you’ve changed a lot since high school. I don’t think anyone would have ever pegged you for stealing Penelope’s ex.”

I whipped my head his way. “I didn’t steal Simon. And I thought you said you didn’t remember me from high school.”

He barked out a laugh. “I looked you up in our old yearbook, wondering how a babe like you flew under my radar. You were pretty mousy back in high school.”

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