Page 58 of Forgettable in Every Way

Jack shoved another spoonful of shortcake in his mouth and nodded. “Princess Jewel and I got our faces painted, and she likes to kiss Daddy.”

Simon couldn’t help but chuckle, even though he knew it was going to set Penelope on a warpath.

Penelope’s face turned a shade of puce on the verge of exploding. She flexed her hands repeatedly. “Is that so?” she gritted through her teeth. “How nice. Did you tell the princess,” she hissed, “that Mommy is throwing you a big birthday party?”

Jack shook his head.

“You should come,” Penelope dared Jules.

Simon was sure this wasn’t headed in a positive direction, but dating Jules meant they couldn’t and shouldn’t avoid these situations.

“I wouldn’t miss it.” Jules ran a hand over Jack’s hair. He flashed Jules a goofy grin.

“Good,” Penelope spit out. Her tone said she couldn’t believe this was happening to her. Like she was too beautiful and popular to be overshadowed by anyone. If only she realized Jules wasn’t trying to overshadow her. But Simon didn’t think she would ever be able to look beyond herself to recognize this wasn’t a competition.

Penelope shook out her hands, composing herself. “Have fun today. Mommy loves you, Jack.”

Jack smiled and waved at his mum.

Penelope glared at Jules one more time before walking away with her friends. All their heads immediately came together, buzzing like angry bees.

Jules let out a huge breath as if she’d just passed a major test.

Simon reached out for her hand, knowing it was probably the first of many tests their relationship would encounter. He only hoped they would pass each one together.

Jules

“YOU HANDLED PENELOPE BRILLIANTLY TODAY, love.” Simon’s fingers danced down my arm, leaving a trail of excited and raised skin as we lay on the couch together in the cozy family room of the cottage. A gentle breeze drifted in through the open windows, making the curtains flutter. Ella Fitzgerald’s smoky, alto voice ignited the air, already fully charged by romantic sparks.

We hadn’t had a chance to speak about Simon’s ex-wife. It hadn’t seemed appropriate in front of Jack, but now that he was in bed, I’d figured we should discuss it. Not that I hadn’t thought about our run-in with her earlier at the Strawberry Festival throughout the day. It had taken every ounce of courage I’d had to be myself in front of her and not let her cutting remark steal anything from me, nor give her more room to put me down. My first instinct was to let old habits take over, but I remembered myself. I knew if I wanted to make a relationship with Simon work, I couldn’t let Penelope push me around or make me feel less than.

I turned more into Simon’s chest and snuggled against his soft cotton T-shirt, breathing him in. Never had I felt more at home and at peace than in his arms. “I still can’t believe I said that to her. It was the first time I ever stood up to her.”

“I can imagine she was not kind to you over the years,” Simon said guiltily.

“I let her walk all over me,” I admitted.

“Then I married her.” Simon’s hand stilled halfway down my arm.

“Yeah,” I sighed.

“Do you hate me for that?”

I thought for a moment. “I understand her appeal. She’s gorgeous and talented. The life of every party.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

I propped myself up on his chest to look into his eyes and gaze at his handsome face, made more so by the way he looked adoringly at me. I still couldn’t believe this was real, and I could kiss him anytime I desired. “I would think my actions the last couple of days would have spoken to how I feel about you. But ...” I paused. “I do worry you’ll compare me to her.”

“Jules.” He ran a hand through my hair and let his fingers get tangled in it. “I would never dishonor you in such a way. And if truth be told, there is no comparison,” he said tenderly. “I meant what I said when I told you that you are the loveliest creature I have ever known.”

“I saw the way you looked at her the first time,” I couldn’t help but say. It was insecure of me, but it was the truth.

“You saw a young, foolish man. Before you now is a man who only has eyes for you. I know what I have before me.”

“That’s very sweet of you to say. I just need you to know I can’t live in her shadow ever again. I did that for far too long and it didn’t lead to good places.”

“Jules, I’m not just being sweet. I’m speaking the truth. You saw the way she behaved today. The way she hardly paid attention to our son. Do you think that’s what I want in my life? The answer is no.” Simon’s thumb gently glided across my cheek. “I want the light you bring. Your mere presence casts out shadows.”

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