Page 57 of Forgettable in Every Way

Maisy grinned. “Is this your son and husband?”

Those titles took Simon aback, yet he couldn’t help but try them on for size for a moment. He hadn’t thought much about getting remarried. His first marriage hadn’t fared well, which made him wary of taking the plunge again. But ... the thought of being Jules’s husband settled in his chest. He liked the way it felt. Even more, he wished for a woman like Jules to be a mother to his son. Simon knew he was getting way ahead of himself, as they had barely started dating. Although it didn’t feel like that. He knew Jules so well, it almost felt as if they had been lovers for years.

Jules bit her lip. “Oh. No. This is Simon and Jack. They are good friends of mine. Very good friends,” she spoke hastily, embarrassed, like she didn’t know what to say.

They hadn’t discussed titles, but being just Jules’s friend certainly did not satisfy Simon in the least. He wrapped his arms around Jules from behind and kissed her cheek. “Darling, lover, princess.” Simon made sure to leave no doubt in Jules’s mind about how he thought of her.

Maisy figuratively drooled a little. “Oh wow.” She turned in a daze to prepare their order.

“Lover?” Jules questioned.

“I was just predicting your future.” Simon wrapped his arms tighter around her, feeling the heat rolling off Jules.

“Oh,” she squeaked.

“Are you okay with that?”

“Uh-huh,” she said breathily.

Simon was glad to hear that. Most glad.

Once they had their strawberry shortcakes, they found a nearby picnic table to eat their dessert at. Of course, Jack insisted on sitting next to Jules, which left Simon across from them. It was a splendid view. He most particularly loved watching Jules eat strawberries and the bits of juice that lingered on her luscious lips. He never thought he would be jealous of fruit, but there he was.

Jack greedily devoured his shortcake, whipped cream covering his face.

“Taste this.” Jules held up a spoonful of ice cream for Simon to taste.

Simon leaned in and captured the spoon with his mouth. He savored the creamy and cold sensation as bursts of vanilla exploded on his taste buds.

Everything was perfect until a familiar, but unexpected, voice cut through the air of tranquility surrounding the trio. “Well, hello. I didn’t know you would be here.” Penelope hovered above the table with a couple of friends, like an unwelcome cloud ready to rain on their parade. Her steely gaze landed squarely on Jules. Judging by the way her eyes bulged, it unpleasantly surprised her to find Jules was every bit as lovely as Simon and Jack had alluded to.

Simon slowly swallowed the ice cream, knowing eventually a scenario like this was sure to happen, but he’d hoped to delay it for Jules’s sake. “We didn’t know you would be here either. I thought renovations were behind schedule.” He did little to mask his annoyance. It irked him she could find time to spend with her girlfriends but not their son.

Penelope straightened out her tight crop top and stood taller, ignoring Simon’s comment. “Hello, Jules. It’s been a long time.”

Jules placed the spoon in the bowl, her hand slightly trembling. “Hello, Penelope.”

“Do you remember Tracy and Veronica?” Penelope pointed to the friends flanking her, looking mildly impressed that Jules had snagged Simon, more like Penelope’s ex.

“Yes, of course,” Jules replied. “I hope you are all doing well,” she said cordially.

Neither Tracy nor Veronica responded.

Simon didn’t appreciate their poor manners, or the way Penelope had said nothing to their son as of yet.

“I own the dance studio now,” Penelope bragged.

“How fun,” Jules responded.

“I know dance wasn’t your forte. You were always in the ensemble.” Penelope couldn’t help but add the dig. “But for some of us, it’s been a lifelong pursuit.”

Simon wanted to lash out at Penelope, but he watched as Jules’s face tinged red. Despite that, she must have had an epiphany, because her eyes lit up and she grinned. “I guess it’s lucky some of us don’t always need to be the center of attention.”

Penelope stood stunned, not knowing how to respond. No one ever stood up to her.

Simon quietly relished the moment. Jules owning Penelope was beyond brilliant. He wanted to kiss her for it.

Penelope tried another tactic and finally focused on Jack. “Hi, honey. Are you having a good time?” She sounded unnaturally motherly.

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