Page 21 of Forgettable in Every Way

Sandra headed for the kitchen, and Simon followed, keeping his distance just in case Sandra got handsy again.

The scent of the apple cake lingered in the air, making Simon’s mouth water, although he’d already eaten breakfast—fried tomatoes and toast. To his dismay, Jack opted for the sugary cereal Americans seemed to love. If he remembered correctly, Jules ate Cinnamon Toast Crunch by the bowlful. He’d never understood the appeal, no matter how much Jules had tried to convince him it was one of mans’ greatest creations.

He walked into the kitchen just in time to find Jules pulling out a loaf pan from the double oven. She blushed when she noticed Simon. “This is for later,” she tripped all over her words. “For afternoon tea. It’s just a thank-you for helping me.” She wanted to make sure he knew it was nothing more.

Simon wasn’t buying it. The fact she remembered how important afternoon tea was to him and how much he loved apple cake said a thread of their friendship still existed.

“Thank you, love,” Simon responded genuinely. Her gesture touched him.

“Well.” Sandra looked between Jules and Simon with interest. “I’m off to the country club for the day. Have fun.” She waved.

“Wait, Mom.” Jules rushed to set the warm cake on a cooling rack. “I wanted to talk to you about the piano before you left. You haven’t said what plans you had for it. And ... I ... uh ... was hoping I could have it. I would be happy to pay for it and handle the moving arrangements to my condo.”

Sandra’s tan face went ashen, yet she laughed nervously. “Don’t be silly. You don’t have room for it in a condo. Besides”—she cleared her throat—“I already told Raina she could have it.”

If Simon remembered correctly, Raina was one of Jules’s sisters.

Jules faltered back and clenched her fists. “Oh. I didn’t realize. I just thought since ... well, it doesn’t matter.” Her voice hitched.

Simon could hear the pain in Jules’s voice, and he wanted to reach out and comfort her, but thought better of it, fearing how Jules might react. He didn’t wish to make the uncomfortable situation any worse.

Sandra hastily turned and left, leaving her obviously distraught daughter to stare after her, blinking back tears.

Unable to stand by and watch Jules hurt so badly, Simon lurched forward, but stopped short of her when, like a light switch, she plastered on a smile and turned to Jack, who was petting Winston. “Sir Jack, would you like to help me in the garage? The royal dog can come.”

Jack nodded. “To the garage!” he shouted, like this was just another adventure to him.

Jules stood proudly and let out a deep breath.

Simon studied her unnaturally calm demeanor. He’d always admired her mild manner, but he worried she was bottling up her emotions. So, when Jules marched past him like she was on a mission, he gently grabbed her toned arm. “Love—”

“I’m fine,” she cut him off and tried to tug away.

Simon pulled her closer, not buying her lie for a second. “You’re not fine. Go tell your mum you want that piano. It obviously means something to you.”

She let out a tired sigh. “That’s never mattered.” She covered her mouth like she had said something she shouldn’t have.

Simon narrowed his eyes. “Jules?” he questioned.

She shook her head. “Please, just drop it. I have a lot to do today.”

“You can talk to me,” Simon begged her to open up to him.

She laughed, but it sounded more like a scoff. “That’s not a good idea.” Jules pulled away and reached for Jack’s hand.

Jack grasped it and together they walked off.

Simon stood, frustrated, pinching the bridge of his nose while swearing loudly in his head.

Winston plopped himself at his feet and stared up at him as if commiserating.

“What the hell should I do?” Simon asked, feeling bonkers enough to talk to a dog.

Winston seemed to shrug before he trotted off after Jules and Jack.

Pied off, Simon followed them through the large, airy home to the four-car garage, thinking maybe this was a lost cause. The thought made him feel gutted. So, he threw caution to the wind, and as soon as they were in the garage, Simon caught Jules off guard, took her hand, and spun her around while he sang in his best Broadway voice, “What may I do for you today, sir?” It was from the first line to “Pretty Women” from the musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. It was a dream of Simon’s to play the starring role. Jules had done her best to help him prepare when he’d auditioned for it several years ago. Not only had she learned how to play the song on the piano, but often she would sing the part of the conniving judge to help him get into character. She’d even taken him to see an off-Broadway production of the musical. She’d included the memory in the photo album. Her caption read: I want to duet through life with you.

Simon was hoping deep down that a part of her still felt the same way.

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