16. Capri
16
CAPRI
“Morning, sunshine.”
“Morning,” I mumble, my mouth full of the best chicken noodle soup I’ve ever had.
“You look better,” Collie says, making herself a cup of coffee.
“You’re too kind.” I smirk.
“I’m serious. I went to check on you after Jones left, and you were passed out. That’s good.”
Jones. That’s all I hear. And all I can taste is the soup he worked hard on and made from scratch…for me.
“Yeah, I needed it,” I tell her honestly. I did. Thankfully, I feel much better, given it’s our last day on the island.
“How’s the soup?”
“Great,” I slur, drinking the last bit in my bowl.
Collie grabs a spoon from the drawer and opens the pot to taste test. Suddenly, there’s soup splattering in the air.
She spit it out.
“Jesus, what’s in this? Grass?” By the look on her face, you’d think it was much worse than chicken noodle soup.
“Bok choy.”
“Whatever the fuck that is. That’s disgusting, Capri.”
“Jones made it from scratch,” I tell her matter-of-factly.
I reach for more, finally feeling like I have an appetite again.
Her face scrunches up in disgust. “That doesn’t make it good, babe. I’m not sure anything can.”
I heat up my second helping and turn to face her. “I like it.”
Collie smiles and it’s not a cute one, it’s full of sass. “Of course you do. It’s because you’re lovesick. You sure it was food poisoning that had you on your deathbed yesterday?”
“I am not lovesick. I just appreciate his gesture.” She can believe whatever she wants, but that doesn’t change the fact that we’re leaving tomorrow and I’ll never see Jones again.
It’s in my best interest to remember that.
“Whatever you say. Hey, have you heard from Mom and Dad?”
“Not since we got here. Why? Is everything okay?” I ask with concern.
Collie waves me off. “Oh, yeah. Everything’s fine. Mom texted me earlier saying they’re having a retirement party for Dad when we get back in town. She wanted to make sure we don’t have plans before she books the reservation at the restaurant.”
“That’s sweet of her. When is it?” I ask.
“July 15th.”
I check the calendar on my phone, confirming I’m free. “Works for me.”
“Perfect. I’ll let her know,” Collie says, walking to the table to grab her purse. “I’m heading out. Meeting the boys for brunch in the market. Wanna come?”
I shake my head. “I’m okay, Cols. You go have fun.”
She smiles and hugs me quickly. “You seeing Jones tonight? After all, it’s your last night to be cock smashed.”
I nod and chuckle, trying not to think about this being the last time. “Cock smash? Creative. But yes. Meeting him at his place. I’ll be back in the morning before our flight.”
“Have fun, my beautiful sister,” Collie whispers to me. “Make this last night one to remember. Enjoy every second of it. You deserve it.”
Tears fill my eyes. “I’ll do my best. Love you, Cols. Be safe.”
She grins. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
I giggle. She has no idea the things I’ve done and the places my mouth has been this week. The things I intend to keep doing all the way till morning.
Until we say goodbye, at least.
* * *
“If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?”
“Only one?” Jones asks, caressing my hip with his touch.
“Yep.”
We’ve spent the entire day fucking, watching movies, showering, and fucking some more. We’re both spent and exhausted on sex—an indescribable feeling of perfect contentment.
That’s how we ended up here, naked in Jones’ bed, cuddling into the late hours of the night.
We decided together we would steer clear of any personal questions that go below the surface, so we’re indulging ourselves in random facts about each other.
I’ve laughed more this past hour than ever before.
Wrapped in his arms, I trace circles across Jones’ muscular chest. He’s thinking too hard about my question, taking it more seriously than I thought.
“It’s a toss-up,” he says, causing me to groan.
“Have mercy. Any day now, old man.” I scowl.
Jones reaches to twist my nipple, causing me to squirm. “Hey!”
“Steak.” My ears perk up at his answer.
“Steak?” I ask.
He grins and I can see his thoughts fantasizing the taste of it now. “Yep. Make it chargrilled and medium rare—I’m golden. Set for the rest of my life.”
I laugh. “Such a guy thing to say.”
He runs his hand through my hair. “What about you, Ms. Twenty Questions?”
I love the attention he shows me even while preoccupied in our conversations. “Easy. In-N-Out.”
“Seriously? It’s that simple?” he asks, making me question why he would question my answer.
“They’re the best,” I say with confidence. I’ll never back down from defending an In-N-Out burger.
“I wouldn’t know.”
The shock that escapes me throws him off for a moment. “No…and I thought I was deprived as a child. This takes the cake.” I shake my head, truly saddened by his admission.
He chuckles and it’s so fucking full I could drown in it. “You heard correctly, sweetheart. Never had the coveted In-N-Out burger.”
Groaning, I explain to him all the possibilities of burgers and my personal favorite. “Ugh. Jones, it’s so good. A double-double burger, animal style, whole grilled onion with chopped chilis. Extra sauce on the side. Mmm, I can taste it.”
He chuckles. “I never believed the hype could be that real, but you make me actually want to try it,” Jones admits. “I do love a woman who can eat.”
“Oh, I can put down some carbs, Captain. Where do you think my hips came from?”
He flips me over in an instant, hovering and grabbing my full hips. “I happen to adore your hips. We’ve established this already, sweetheart.”
I start to tell Jones we need to get a burger together but catch myself mid-breath, remembering this is the last time we’ll see each other.
There will be no future burger dates or a moment where I get to watch Jones experience an animal-style burger for the first time.
It’s a sad revelation to accept.
“I leave in the morning.” My tone is stagnant. Some would call it sad, even.
I didn’t want to bring it up, but we’ve been pretending this unspoken truth doesn’t exist, and it does.
“Fuck. I know.” My heart twinges at the falling of his face.
I knew I wasn’t capable of being casual with a man. I’m not built for a situationship without feelings.
“Is it wrong of me to say I’m sad?” My eyes search for the same feeling in him.
His head falls to my chest, letting out a long exhale. “No, Capri…it’s not wrong at all. I feel the same.”
He hasn’t come out and said it, but I can feel it—we’re on the same page.
Both put off by these quickly developed feelings and dread them coming to an end.
“In another life…another season?—”
He cuts me off with his lips. “I know, sweetheart. I know.”
His kiss is steady and unrushed. Like he’s got all the time in the world to savor the taste of my lips and the connection between us. Although it’s only been a week, being in Jones’ company has made it one of the happiest of my life.
I’ve woken up with a smile on my face for the first time in years.
I’ve looked forward to the day ahead.
I’ve found myself searching for someone worthy in a crowd.
And I’ve felt accepted and appreciated in my own skin—a feeling that has been nonexistent.
“I have something for you,” Jones whispers, perking up and striding to his dresser.
I sit up, my eyes following his strong frame as he grabs a small black box from the top drawer.
“What is it?” I ask. Any gesture from him has my heart soaring.
Jones sits beside me and opens the box, revealing a dainty gold chain. He turns, holding the necklace in his hand and letting me see the charm at the end of it.
It’s a bell.
“There’s a legend in Capri that you’re not allowed to leave the island without a bell.” I couldn’t break from his kind eyes if I tried. He runs the bell through his fingers and continues, “Legend says a poor shepherd boy lost his one and only sheep, searching for it across the whole island. He heard a ringing in the distance, similar to the one his sheep always wore. He found the sound by a ravine, and supposedly, Saint Michael appeared to him on a white horse with a bell around his neck. His encouragement to the little boy was to take the bell, wear it, and hold it tightly when he felt lost or in danger. The boy’s wishes and dreams came true for the rest of his days.”
“Jones,” I whimper, as tears stream down my face.
He clasps the gold chain around my neck, letting it fall perfectly into the center of my chest. The bell is softly framed with gold and a white opal center.
It’s breathtaking. The necklace and the story.
Jones takes me by the hand and looks at me with eyes full of hope. “I know we may only be a stepping stone in each other’s lives, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting the world for you. I want your dreams and hopes to come true. I want you to face each day with courage, knowing what a fighter you are and the battle you’ve already won. I’ve learned in a short amount of time how special you are, Capri. The fact that you’ve lived feeling the opposite of that breaks my fucking heart. So, keep this bell as a reminder of your worth and know when you ever feel lost or broken, somewhere, someone on the other side of the world is thinking of you and will always remember our time together.”
Tears cascade down my face, breaking my attempt at composure.
The past almost six years of my life vacate my body like they never existed. I’ve learned so much more than what epic sex feels like with Jones. I’ve learned to love myself—what it feels like to truly live life to the fullest.
Vivere il momento.
Live in the moment. To appreciate the now.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “This means so much to me. This week here with you was…unexpected, to say the least. But in the best way.”
Jones nods, staying humble. His maturity makes me realize how important that is to me as a partner. Someone who’s confident and trusting.
Someone a lot like Jones Archer.
I can only hope to find that kindness in a partner someday.
“Can I bring you back in the morning?” he asks.
“I’d like that,” I say.
It’s at this moment, the lie that slips from my lips feels sour across my tongue. As we settle under the sheets and Jones holds me close to him, I know in my heart of hearts, I’ll never recover from our goodbye.
When his breathing settles and the night grows quiet, I leave the man who’s shown me nothing but kindness and escape before morning.
It’s better this way. For both of us.
After all, I showed up to Capri broken and lost, might as well leave the same way I came.