Chapter 31 Collie
COLLIE
“I hate that you can only stay for a few days.”
“Ugh. I know. It’s already going by so fast,” Capri tells me, pulling me in for a hug. “But I’m here now!”
I smirk. “How nice of Jonesy to let you out of the house.”
She nudges my side, and I love to see her lovesick smile. “He’d cage me to our bed all day if I let him.”
Love looks good on her.
“Even with that bump!” I squeal, yanking myself out of her hold to kiss her halfway-cooked belly. “My precious little ladybug.”
Capri was nervous at first about telling my parents she was pregnant before getting married, but they took it surprisingly well. Mom is ready to be a grandmother, and it’s been fun to prepare for both a baby and her wedding at the same time.
They also really love Jones. He’s one of the best guys I’ve ever met, and he’s perfect for my baby sister.
“It’s so nice to be home, though. Feels like it’s been forever.” I pull out a box of donuts from Margo’s Sprinkles, Capri’s favorite donut shop in town. “You didn’t!” she shouts.
“Oh, I so did, babe. Eat to your heart’s content.”
“Collie.” My head perks up, meeting my mother face-to-face.
“Yes, Mommy Dearest?”
“Donuts during a dress fitting? Have some class.” I chuckle, expecting nothing less from her. Capri, however, looks appalled.
This might be the first time Mom has ever acted out toward me in front of Capri. Not sure what made her so bold, but there’s nothing I can do to prevent Capri from seeing it now.
“Cute, Mother. Sounds like you could use a little sweet to go with your sour.” I hold up a powdered Boston cream, signaling for her to take a bite. “Oh, come on. A few carbs won’t hurt.”
“Will you ever learn to be serious, my dear?” she scolds.
“Mom,” Capri deadpans, looking shocked.
Just another day in the neighborhood, sis.
“Probably not, but you knew that, right?” I take a full-mouth bite of my strawberry-sprinkled donut and smile with all my teeth. “How do I look?”
Capri yelps, falling into a fit of laughter. “Oooo, my turn,” she says, biting into her chocolate-frosted sprinkle.
Mom rolls her eyes, choosing not to entertain us any further. “Capri, come on, darling. You’ve got to try your dress on for the seamstress.”
“Oh, yes! Ahhhh,” she rushes. “I’m getting marrieddddd!” We jump, scream, shout, and dance like no one’s watching as we celebrate Capri’s marriage to Jones.
God, she’s glowing. Long blonde hair and sun-kissed skin. Curves for days, that I’d quite literally murder for. Our facial features are similar, but Capri is much more womanly in shape, a feature she used to be ashamed of.
But not since Jones.
Reminds me a bit about how Easton makes me feel. Like I should be proud of who I am, and most importantly, who I see myself as. Fuck what anyone else thinks.
I’m happy to finally be with my sister. Not only is it long overdue, but she’s helping distract me from the other night. The night my feelings for Easton Voss came to a head.
I know Capri can sense my struggle despite being so fucking happy for her.
“Go on,” I usher Capri toward the Trunchbull and take a seat on the mauve velvet loveseat, waiting for the big reveal.
Capri looks at me hesitantly, like she’s afraid to leave me with Mom. But I can hold my own. This day is about her, and I won’t let Mom’s animosity toward me ruin that for her.
I won’t lie, though. She’s been extra snippy since I got back from my trip. I can remember a day when she smiled at me much more than scowled. It hurts despite how much I play it off.
A part of me wants to ask her, but the other part is afraid of what she might say. Is it worth re-opening old wounds for the sake of answers?
Pushing those thoughts away, I take in the bridal shop where Capri said yes to the dress. Rowling Bridal is a hidden gem in Timber Heights. It’s rare to find a trendy, vintage, and just overall girly vibe business in our small beach town.
The top half of the walls is covered in light pink and mauve paisley wallpaper designs.
Not the tacky kind you see in cheap gas stations, but the sophisticated kind.
The bottom half is bordered with an exquisite wainscoting, painted the same mauve color that seems to be the primary color the design is centered around.
The whole space contains small pops of emerald green, making it feel cozy and warm regardless of the elegant charm.
What would it feel like to shop for my own wedding dress in a shop like this?
The fact that I’m thinking about the future as something permanent should scare me. I’m the one who runs away while Capri settles and plants roots.
But lately, planting roots doesn’t sound so bad.
It might entirely be because I miss the broody ranger I spent days in a camper van with. Yeah, that’s definitely it.
I miss him, and I hate it. I hate that I miss him so dang badly.
Who else is supposed to make me the best steak of my life and watch movies in the woods with me? Or what about holding me in his lap until he’s ready to let go? Not me, but him. The man is a certified hugger, and I grew to like those hugs a whole freaking lot.
It makes perfect sense in my chaotic brain. But that’s the thing. As crazy as it may sound, I want to be able to explain how perfect my time with Easton was to anyone who asks.
For once, I want to have something exciting to share with the people I love and for them to be happy for me. Most likely surprised that I’m even considering a man for something longer than one night, but that’s the point, right?
Is this me considering him?
The point is…what’s the fucking point? I can travel the world and see every national treasure, but if it isn’t with someone I love and care about, what’s even the point?
Isn’t the point to make memories? To enjoy the moments?
I hear Mom’s voice drawing closer, likely done helping Capri get into her dress. I slip out my phone and send a quick text to Easton.
I just want to talk to him. To hear what he has to say, even if it’s gibberish electricity stuff. It’s not meaningless to him, and that makes it important to me.
He can rattle off how to build a damn power pole from start to finish, and I’d ask him to start over again if it means his attention is solely on me.
But it seems I didn’t have to text him first after all because one is already waiting for me.
Ranger
Scale of 1-10…how perfect does Capri look in her dress?
*Swoon* I hardly had a chance to talk about this on the phone the other night, and he still remembered.
The limit does not exist when it comes to her beauty…I can tell ya that. She’s actually about to walk out right now. I just know my jaw will be on the floor. Check on your girl for proof of life.
Ranger
I can already hear your pretty squeal from here.
*Double swoon*
Hold the applause. Mrs. Trunchbull wearing Versace Crystal Noir is about to dampen the mood.
Ranger
I never did like that scent.
Ugh. I knew there was a reason I liked you besides your cocking skills.
Ranger
Been thinkin about my cock, lost girl?
Only like every day. Need to break this dry spell.
Bubbles cross the screen, showing me he’s typing. But they stop and start again. He’s conflicted about what to say. Good.
Ranger
Let me know if you need some inspiration.
Are you offering to sext with me, Easton?
Ranger
Maybe I am.
Well, in that case…don’t tempt me with a good time. I can be home in less than an hour.
Ranger
Haha. Go cheer Capri on and call me when you’re feeling needy.
“Collie, honey. Put your phone away and come help with this train.”
Mother’s pestering would normally spur me on to piss her off even more out of spite, but the view of Capri before me quite literally takes my breath away.
“Oh, babe,” I sigh. “You’re the most stunning bride I’ve ever seen.”
Capri’s back is toward me as she examines herself in the floor-length mirror. The bridal consultant steps back after adjusting her ivory veil that falls past the length of her full train.
My beautiful sister.
Mom stands to the side with what looks to be tears in her eyes. “You look lovely, darling,” she tells her, and I want to call bullshit on the tears.
“You think so?” Capri chokes, her emotions bubbling over. “Think Jones will like it?”
I stand and inch my way toward her on the elevated velvet stand. I reach for her hand, my eyes finding Capri’s matching blues in the mirror. “He won’t be able to take his eyes off you for a second. Nothing new where he’s concerned.”
A light sob bursts from her lips, and the bridal consultant immediately rushes forward with tissues. “I’ll just hang onto this box,” I tell her, knowing these won’t be the last of the tears shed.
“What do you think, Capri?” Mom asks. “Does everything fit comfortably?”
Capri nods, and I watch the light shine through her face. The way she takes in every detail of the dress like it’s the gown of her dreams. “It’s perfect.”
“It really is, babe.”
Jones had the best of the best bridal designer fly in from Italy, knowing he wanted Capri to have anything and everything she wanted. Cost has never been an issue with Jones Archer, and rightfully so. The man owns the Amalfi Coast’s most luxurious yacht chartering company.
Capri’s dress is a mermaid style, the tail leading to quite possibly the most exquisite train I’ve ever seen.
Beaded and lace detail line the edges, giving it a timeless and classy feel.
The body is made up of an ivory satin, leading to what would typically be a corset…
but not with her small bump the star of the show.
The entire back is all sheer with beaded accents, making the satin material deliver a new type of warmth and flexibility.
It fits Capri perfectly. The front bodice holds small sheer details intertwined with lace and a sweetheart neckline.
I’ve never seen anything more breathtaking.
“I can’t wait to marry my best friend,” Capri whimpers, and it makes my heart burst for her.
“It’s going to be such a special day,” I say, hugging my sister tight.