Page 55 of Forgettable in Every Way

That was probably more than I needed to know, but I was happy to finally have a real mother-daughter moment. I hoped for many more in the future.

Mom stood and wrapped her arms around me. I leaned against her, and she kissed the top of my head. “I love you, Julia.”

Those words gave me more courage to be myself than she would ever know.

Simon

SIMON COULDN’T KEEP HIS EYES off Jules, in her short, halter, summer dress, as they strolled through vendors at the Strawberry Festival in the town square. The blush hue of the revealing dress played perfectly against her sun-kissed olive skin. It made him wish they were already back at his place, and it was past bedtime so he could brush his lips across her smooth skin while listening to her gasp and sigh with every touch. The ecstasy that was Jules was unlike anything he had ever known. It went deeper than just his physical desire for her. When he held her, kissed her, caressed her, it was superlative magic. He found himself wanting to rush, all while wishing to take his time getting to know all of Jules.

“We have to stop at that booth.” Jules pointed at a large lunchtime gathering near a bright-red booth. “They sell the best strawberry shortcake with homemade vanilla ice cream.” She smiled shyly.

Simon found her coyness adorable. “I’m sold.”

“I want ice cream!” Jack exclaimed, beaming up at Jules. He hadn’t let go of her hand since they’d arrived. They had even gotten matching pictures of Bluey on their cheeks at the face-painting booth.

Simon wasn’t sure who was more enthralled with Jules—Jack or him.

Jules tapped Jack’s nose with utter adoration. “With lots of whipped cream.”

“Yes!” Jack was totally on board with Jules’s line of thinking.

Simon loved watching Jules with Jack. He knew if he wasn’t careful, he was going to fall hard and fast for Jules. The thought came to him that perhaps he shouldn’t be careful. Maybe that’s where he went wrong back in New York. He’d been so careful around her, not wishing for anything to impede his career aspirations, that he’d missed out on something wonderful. Only to let Penelope implode his world and plans. Not to say Penelope was to blame for his unrealized Broadway dreams, but she hadn’t been overly supportive of them either. Her ego wouldn’t have allowed for two stars in their relationship. His success in the UK, he was sure, was part of the reason Penelope sought a divorce and the arms of other men.

The only drawback he could see in being with Jules was that she lived in LA and he had to remain in Aspen Lake. He wasn’t sure how that would play out or possibly hinder their budding relationship.

The three of them got in line for the shortcake. Heavenly scents of strawberry and vanilla swirled around them. Simon wrapped an arm around Jules’s waist while they waited. She tenderly leaned into him, keeping hold of Jack’s hand. Jules exuded pure contentment that seeped into him, making him crave it, and her, even more.

“Here’s your fun fact for the day,” Simon whispered in Jules’s ear. “Did you know cheesy pickup lines work better on women than men?”

“You made that up,” she laughed.

“I swear on your honor, it’s true. I’ll show you the science journal I read it in.”

“All right, then. What cheesy pickup line would you use on me?” she challenged him.

He nipped at her ear, wishing he could bathe her in kisses. “I have a few, love.”

She looked up at him expectantly, her eyes dancing with amusement.

“How’s this one? Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m not that pretty, but damn, look at you.”

Her lips barely twitched. “That doesn’t work, because you are very pretty.”

For that, he innocently kissed her lips. “Okay, darling, how does this work for you? If you were a vegetable, you’d be a cute-cumber.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s too cheesy.”

Simon chuckled. “Point taken. Maybe the third time will be a charm. Here it goes: Are you a camera? Because every time I look at you, I smile.”

Jules flashed him a huge grin. “I like that.”

“Well, it’s true.” He pulled her closer to him, his fingers pressing into the curve of her waist.

They walked forward together in the slow-moving line among the chatty crowd enjoying the summer weather. The anticipation of what was sure to be a taste of heaven, judging by the looks of unadulterated pleasure on those walking past with large bowls of strawberry shortcake and spoons in their mouths, was palpable.

Jack wished to be part of the conversation. “Everyone smiles at Princess Jewel because she’s the prettiest princess ever.”

Jules bent down and nuzzled Jack’s nose with her own. “Thank you, Sir Jack.”

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