Page 59 of Forgettable in Every Way

I took a moment to lean into his hand, indulging in his words and touch. “You know she won’t make things easy on us, right?”

Simon’s jaw tightened. “I am aware. She and her friends behaved abominably today. But please don’t let that deter you. Us.”

Tracy and Veronica were the epitome of mean girls in high school. It shamed me to think I ever thought of them as friends. More like I tricked myself into thinking I was part of the crowd they ran in, with Penelope at the helm. Their dismissive actions today told me all I needed to know about them. Despite their behavior, I thought about the utter joy I’d felt the last few days, and no way was I giving that up easily. I wouldn’t let Penelope or her cronies steal anything else from me. “Oh, I’m not deterred.”

“That is excellent news.” Simon leaned in and brushed my lips.

I wanted to kiss him more fully, but I felt like I needed more information. I carefully thought about my next words, not wanting to overstep my bounds or sound like I was pitting Simon against Penelope. That truly wasn’t my wish, but I was becoming aware of all the nuances of dating a single father. That said, I needed to go in with eyes wide open and with as much knowledge of the situation as possible. “Can I ask why Jack seems so unsure around Penelope?”

His brows knitted together in consternation while his chest rose and fell heavily.

“I’m sorry. Did I overstep my bounds?”

“No, darling. It’s not you.” He kissed my forehead. “You can ask me anything. My life is an open book to you. It just pains me that Penelope has never made Jack a priority, and now he knows that.”

“That’s heartbreaking. He’s such a great kid. I adore him.” Unfortunately, it didn’t surprise me that Penelope wasn’t the warmest of mothers.

“And he adores you.” Simon smiled. “Add me to that list too.”

I returned his smile with one of my own. “So why is she throwing Jack a big party for his birthday?” Which I had learned was on July 10, just days before Calista’s wedding.

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s all for show. I promise it will have little to do with Jack.”

“We’ll make sure it’s all about him,” I assured Simon.

“Actually, I was hoping you might want to go on an adventure with us to Disneyland to celebrate. I hear it’s the happiest place on earth. I’m happy to book us a suite with separate bedrooms,” he said slyly.

“Oh really,” I played coy.

“Of course, we could stay in separate suites if that’s more comfortable for you.”

“Or ... we could stay at my place. I have a guest bedroom.” I loved the thought of Simon and Jack staying with me. Sharing that part of me with them.

Simon devilishly grinned. “Are you inviting me to stay over at your place?”

I bit my lip. “I suppose I am.”

“It’s settled, then. We will have a happy adventure—together.”

I leaned in just a bit, my lips hovering over his. Our breaths mingling together. “We could make some happy memories now.”

“Mmm,” Simon murmured with desire. “I love the way you think.” His hands gently cradled my face as if he were molding clay, before his lips captured mine with a fervor. The sensation of his tongue parting my lips sent an electric shock wave through my body.

While Simon thoroughly explored my mouth, his hands moved down my back, silently begging me to remove any space between us. With our bodies melded together, our breaths synchronized until we shared more than air. It was as if our souls came together.

I ran my hands through his hair, tangling my fingers in his locks, wishing for this moment to never end. Each time I gasped, he groaned in response. Minute upon minute upon minute we created magic, the likes of which I had never experienced.

It wasn’t until we could no longer catch our breaths that his lips left mine. But he wasn’t done with me. No. His lips slowly pressed kisses over every inch of my face and neck. Between kisses he repeatedly whispered my name, “Jules. Jules. Jules ... You undo me.”

The feeling was oh so mutual.

I rested my head on his chest and listened to his heart erratically beating just like my own. I gripped his shirt for fear this was just a dream and I would eventually have to wake up. Never could I imagine real life being so amazing.

He clung to me just as tightly, as if he had the same thought.

For several minutes, we didn’t talk. We let Ella serenade us with “Isn’t It Romantic?” It certainly was.

When the song was over, I had to giggle. “I bet my piano teacher, Miss Sally, never thought I would be doing this in her old house.”

---