Page 35 of Forgettable in Every Way

SIMON LEANED AGAINST THE STONE shower tile, breathed in his mint body wash, and let the water cascade over him. Water generally relaxed him, but his muscles refused to let go of the tension he’d felt for the last four days. Four days since he’d seen Jules. Four days since he’d realized he was an unmitigated idiot. There was no denying it now. The evidence was clear. He’d hurt probably the best person he had ever known, and he knew he deserved to never see her again. That didn’t stop him from thinking about her or his son from asking to see her every day.

Jack was convinced that if they only spent more time with the princess, he could break the curse. Simon didn’t have the heart to tell him his father was more than daft and the one who had cast the curse. Calista’s words stung deeply and would not leave him. He’d always considered himself a man of character, but he questioned that now. He’d been blinded by his desires. First a career that had never come to fruition and then a woman who, if he was honest with himself, he knew would eventually break his heart. It made him wonder if he could be blind to Jules. What else had he missed? Who else had he hurt?

Simon shut off the water, knowing he couldn’t hide forever in the shower. He dreaded the weekends now. Simon normally buried himself in work when Jack was with Penelope, but his next project wasn’t set to start for a couple of weeks. He’d hoped maybe he and Jules could go on an adventure, perhaps even a date, but he knew he had no business intruding in her life. Jules was right. He’d forgotten her, and that was possibly the most horrendous thing you could do to someone you cared about. And he did care about Jules. She’d left an empty space in him. One that had been there for a long time, but he hadn’t been able to account for it until seeing her again.

It was that space where he was the most comfortable to be himself and knew undoubtedly someone always had his back. He was ashamed of how much he’d taken Jules for granted, and probably hadn’t reciprocated her kindness nearly enough. Worse, it was too late to make amends. It was clear his presence only hurt her more. He refused to do that to her.

Simon reached outside the shower door for his towel on a wall hook. He noticed his phone on the bathroom counter furiously lighting up. He stepped out of the shower quickly, dripping wet, to see if it was Penelope. It wouldn’t surprise him if she wanted him to take Jack back early. For his son’s sake, he hoped not. Jack needed to know he was a priority in his mum’s life. But selfishly, he wanted Jack with him.

Simon wrapped the towel around his waist and picked up his phone to find his assistant, Lindsey, had sent him several messages.

Lindsey: Sorry to bother you on the weekend, but I’ve received several messages through your website’s contact form from Sandra Carmichael. She says she urgently needs to speak with you about her daughter. She said, and I quote: “If you have ever cared for my daughter, you’ll call me immediately.” Do you know this woman? Should I be worried? Do you want me to report her?

Simon wasn’t sure if he should be worried or not. But one thing he knew was he cared very much about Sandra’s daughter. He hoped Jules was okay.

Simon: Did she leave a number?

Lindsey: Is this woman trying to extort you? Should I call your solicitor?

Simon chuckled before texting back. I think it’s safe to say she isn’t. Sexually harassing him, that he wouldn’t put past her. He shivered, hoping that wasn’t what this was about.

Simon: Please send me her number.

Lindsey quickly responded, and Simon wasted not a second before giving Sandra a ring.

“Is this Simon?” Sandra answered immediately, in a garbled whisper that echoed off his bathroom walls through his phone’s speaker.

“It is. Is Jules all right?” That was his first concern.

Sandra paused, making Simon’s heart pound. She finally breathed out, “Physically she’s fine, but ...”

Simon could hear her sniffling. He was becoming more concerned by the moment, not to mention confused by Sandra’s emotional state. He barely knew the woman, and as far as he could tell, Jules and her mum weren’t close. Why she wanted to speak with him, he couldn’t fathom.

Sandra finally composed herself. “I don’t know how to say this or even if Jules would wish me to, but I know I haven’t been the best mother to my daughter,” her voice cracked. “I’m not sure how to fix that. But ... maybe I can help give her something she wants.”

“What does she want?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You.”

“I think you’re mistaken.” However, he couldn’t help but hope.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but this isn’t one of them. I don’t know what happened between you two in New York. You obviously screwed up somewhere along the way,” she chided him. “But I see the way you look at her. It speaks of something more than friendship. Am I right?”

Simon swallowed hard and leaned against the counter. Of course he wished to explore his feelings with Jules, but the last thing he wanted to do was injure her more. And given her behavior and the fact there were no guarantees when it came to relationships, he was hesitant to respond. Not to mention, he was sure Jules wouldn’t appreciate this conversation.

“Simon.” Her tone berated him. “Do you or do you not want to pursue a relationship with my daughter? Time is running out here.”

“What do you mean, time is running out?”

She sighed, exasperated. “The move is off, and she’ll be going back to LA sooner rather than later. And ... I know where she’s going to be today. So do you or do you not want my help?” she snipped.

While Simon was glad Jules didn’t have to pack her parents’ house, he wondered why they were no longer moving. But the most important information was that Jules was leaving soon, and he had a serious choice to make. “I don’t wish to hurt her.”

“It’s too late for you and me both on that account. The question is, what are we going to do to fix it?”

“I’m not sure I can undo the damage I’ve done,” he admitted.

“That’s a fair point,” she conceded. “Well, if you want to try, Julia will be mountain biking today on her favorite trail, the Aspen Lake Loop, around noon. Good luck.”

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