4. Capri
4
CAPRI
“Spill.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I tell Collie, tossing my purse on the table and flopping onto the bed.
Mhm, I love hotel beds.
“Oh, don’t give me that, little miss flirt. I know heart eyes when I see them,” Collie says, lying beside me.
I take a deep breath. “Did you see him, Cols?”
“He was hard to miss,” she says, laughing under her breath. “I was worried because you were gone for so long. Then, I saw the two of you flirting, and I understood why.”
My stomach flutters, and it’s such a peculiar feeling. “I’ve never been so swept away by a man before, Collie. It scared me just as much as it excited me.”
“I think that’s a good thing, babe.”
“It felt strange,” I admit. “To feel something so…unrealistic so quickly. It was just unexpected, I guess.”
“Capri, you deserve to be happy. Not saying it’s with that random man, but maybe meeting him was meant to show you how you deserve to feel. Like you’re the only woman in the room.”
“Drew never made me feel like that. More like he had eyes for everyone but me.”
I should have trusted that feeling from the beginning.
In the five years we were married, I can’t remember a time when I had Drew’s full attention. He was always preoccupied with somewhere or someone else. I think I convinced myself it was normal and that’s just how men are. His longtime affair only confirmed what my heart was trying to tell me all along.
“He was such a big part of my life. I don’t even know how to be alone.” I take a deep breath. “It’s not even about Drew. I guess it’s more about finding myself after Drew, and that’s terrifying.”
Collie grabs my hand, reassuring me kindly. “Give yourself time. It’ll get easier. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.” She laughs. “But promise me you’ll at least try.”
“Try to do what?” I ask.
“Let yourself experience something new, even if it’s just for this trip. We’re here for a week, Capri. The opportunities are endless. You can’t tell me that candy man didn’t spark something exciting in you.”
“Collie, he watched me eat a jawbreaker. Hardly the encounter to make me horny.”
“Woah, never said that, babe. You did.” She laughs.
I groan, covering my face. “Maybe I am horny.”
“You have been in a bit of a dry spell. How long has it been? Forty-two years?”
I smack Collie’s arm. “More like a year. Drew and I stopped sleeping together even before we split.”
And I still got myself checked. I refused to risk my health because of his sexual escapades.
“Okay, so you’ve got some cobwebs to clear out. Nothing a good Italian fucking can’t cure,” Collie mumbles.
I cut her a look. “You’re insane. I’m pretty sure I forgot how to kiss.”
“Seeing as how we’re sisters, I will not be practicing on you.” Collie laughs, and I join her. “But that doesn’t mean a hot stranger can’t help you out on that one.”
“I don’t know about that.” I’ve always been cautious. Too cautious, at times.
“Just promise me you’ll be open to it…if the opportunity presents itself.”
“You say it like it’s a job opportunity, Cols.” I can’t hold back my grin.
“Call it whatever you want.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll consider it. Clearing the dust bunnies, I mean.” I’m surprised at how quickly I agreed. I guess there’s no harm in trying, right?
Although, I know for a fact I’m too awkward to make the first move, and I’ll probably overthink everything.
Collie claps and rises to her feet. “Hell yes. Okay, now onto the good stuff.”
This can’t be good.
“What did you do?” I chastise her.
Her hand flies to her chest. “Me? Only good things, my dear sister.” I brace myself for what comes next. “While you were gallivanting down the candy aisle, I was invited on a private yacht tomorrow by two dreamy men.”
“What? Where?” I’m not surprised.
“They stopped at my table not long after you walked away. I was on my third lemon spritz when they invited us. The yacht tours the Grottos, Capri! We have to go,” Collie exclaims, her small frame full of energy.
Collie has this wild and captivating effect on men. She’s stunning and charismatic, not to mention loyal to a fault. I love this for her.
“That sounds so fun, Cols. I hope you have the best time.”
“Did you not hear me, Capri? We’re both going!” Her smile rises.
My eyes search for an explanation. “Did you tell them about me? I don’t want to show up uninvited.”
She huffs. “Of course I did. They said absolutely, there’s room for everyone.” Collie’s excitement is contagious. I guess this is the part where I try new things and meet new people.
Thankfully, I’ll have my sister there as my emotional support blanket.
I can do this for her. For me.
Heaven knows I need it.
I put on a brave face and smile at my sister, who has the biggest heart. “Vivere il momento?” I say it like a question, but she knows it’s my way of agreeing.
My little free bird non-planner.
Collie jumps and wraps her arms around me. “Love you! This is going to be a trip to remember. I can feel it.”
“I hope so, Cols. I really hope so.”