Page 76 of Forgettable in Every Way

His warm breath made her skin rise.

They watched as Tristan lifted Calista into the truck before hustling around to the driver’s side, punching his hand in the air like he’d just won a football match. The real football, not the American nonsense.

Simon grinned at the man’s behavior. From what he’d learned, this day had been a long time coming. Simon could relate. “Do you ever think about doing this?” he asked Jules.

She tilted her head and gazed at Simon. “All the time,” she admitted.

“I’m happy to hear that.”

“Is that so?” she purred.

“Yes. Very glad.”

Jules

“WHERE ARE WE GOING?” I felt foolish wearing a blindfold in the back of the cab. I think if we were anywhere but New York, someone might think something nefarious was going on and call the police.

Simon caressed the hand he was holding. “Darling, if I told you, it would ruin the surprise.”

“It’s going to be so good,” Jack assured me.

It had already been so good. I’d loved the last few days we’d spent together in New York. There was just something magical about New York in the fall. Like somehow Mother Nature invented fall here. It seemed like the reds and oranges of the changing leaves were brighter here. And every shop and bakery smelled like cinnamon and pumpkin spice.

While here, Simon had meetings with Josie Cavanaugh’s publisher. They were hoping to hire him for more than just her upcoming series. It appeared he would be wooing the world with his voice and causing romantic interludes for the foreseeable future. Calista was going to be thrilled. Well, maybe after her morning sickness subsided. Poor thing was puking every day. Yet she still managed to fulfill her doctoral duties. She was the real rock star.

While Simon had meetings, Jack and I had explored New York, going to all the children’s museums and, of course, talking to the animals whenever we had the chance. The pigeons were quite disgruntled by the quality of the seeds in the park. We had to remedy that and buy a bag of good seeds to feed them.

Simon and I had taken Jack to the old piano store where Simon used to practice his audition pieces. It was owned by the same people, and it thrilled them to have us do a few numbers there. Thankfully, everyone in the store clapped and cheered. It would have severely disappointed Jack if that hadn’t happened.

The sounds of New York filled the cab, meaning lots of honking and swearing in several different languages.

It didn’t take long before we arrived at our destination. Well, not long for New York time. Which meant it took us about forty-five minutes to go what I assumed was a few miles.

“Are you ready?” Simon asked before he helped me exit the cab.

“Ready for what?”

“You’ll see!” Jack shouted.

If Jack was excited, I knew I would be. “I’m definitely ready, then.”

Simon helped me out, and both he and Jack held my hands, leading me to who knew what. I could only imagine what every passerby thought of the scene. Given Simon was beyond gorgeous and British, my guess is he could have led me to my doom and everyone would have given him a pass.

“Stay right here,” Simon said.

I assumed he opened a door because I heard a jingle. A jingle evoking a memory. Lots of memories, actually.

“Right this way, my love.” Simon pulled me through the door.

I was immediately hit with the smell of roasted coffee beans with hints of caramel, honey, and simmering milk. Every delectable fragrance tickled my nose—and my memory. I gripped Simon’s hand. “You didn’t.”

“Didn’t what?” He played innocent.

“Don’t peek,” Jack implored.

I didn’t have to peek; I knew exactly where we were and the layout—that was, if things hadn’t changed in the last twelve years. In my mind, I perfectly pictured the large coffee bar, front and center, with the kitchen area right behind it. Within the space were several seating areas, some of which included couches and comfy chairs. Then, of course, there were the tables with window views.

Simon pulled out a chair, the metal scraping against the tile floor. “Careful.” He helped lower me into the seat.

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