Chapter 23
23
C apri stood in front of Jake’s front door, her hand hovering just inches from the wood. She could hear music faintly playing inside, something bluesy and warm. It struck her as unexpected for a man like Jake—rugged, down-to-earth, with an unpolished edge to him. Taking a deep breath, she knocked twice, wondering for the hundredth time if she should’ve just said she was too busy.
But the door swung open before she could entertain the thought any longer.
“Hey, glad you made it.” Jake greeted her with a warm smile. He was dressed casually, a simple gray Henley that stretched across his broad chest, jeans that looked well-worn from a day of work. His home smelled of roasted garlic and herbs, the kind of scent that felt like comfort wrapped in an embrace.
Capri smiled back, stepping over the threshold. “Yeah, well, figured I should probably eat something that wasn’t takeout for a change.” She tried to sound light, but there was a nervousness in her voice, a tension she couldn’t quite shake.
He led her through a living room that was decorated simply—leather furnishings and uncluttered wood tables—and into the kitchen where a small dining table was set for two. It was cozy and intimate, the dim lighting from above casting a soft glow over the plates.
Once again, Capri considered this might be more than a simple invite to dinner. She quickly pushed the thought aside.
“This looks amazing,” she said, her eyes falling on the roasted chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes spread across the table. It was hearty, comforting—just like the smell of the house.
Jake chuckled. “Don’t be too impressed. It’s a family recipe, but I’ve made it enough times not to mess it up.”
As they sat down, the clinking of utensils filled the silence. Capri was hyper-aware of everything—the closeness of the table, the way Jake’s eyes lingered on her a little longer than she was used to. She filled her plate, hoping to keep the conversation neutral.
“So,” Jake began, after a few bites, “I was thinking…we should take a trip next weekend. There’s this little shop here in Jackson I’ve been meaning to show you. They’ve got great ideas for outdoor furniture, maybe something we could use to spruce up your porch.”
Capri swallowed, the bite of brisket suddenly feeling heavy in her throat. She nodded, though she didn’t meet his eyes. “Yeah, sounds nice.”
Jake leaned back in his chair, studying her. “Or, you know, there’s this trail up in the Tetons I haven’t hiked in a while. Thought it might be fun to do it together. What do you think?”
And there it was—that shift she’d been waiting for. Fun things to do together. Projects. Plans. She could feel the expectations rising, like a wave pushing her toward something she wasn’t ready to face.
Capri set down her fork and glanced around the room, her fingers brushing the edge of the napkin in her lap. “That sounds great, Jake, but…I’ve got a lot going on with the rafting company. I’m not sure I have time to think about hiking or outdoor furniture right now.”
Jake raised an eyebrow. “Sure, I get that. But we all need a break sometimes, don’t we?”
His question felt too pointed, too…personal. Capri shifted in her seat, a small knot forming in her stomach. She needed to steer this back into safer territory—work.
“Speaking of breaks, how’s the timeline looking for the house? I’ve been thinking about the fixtures. I believe I finally decided which ones I want to go with.”
Jake tilted his head, his easygoing smile slipping just a little. “We’re on schedule, don’t worry about that. But I wasn’t talking about work.”
Capri could feel the weight of his words, and it made her uneasy. She wanted to keep things professional, controlled. Jake wasn’t supposed to cross that line, wasn’t supposed to start hinting at… more.
Jake let the silence settle between them for a moment before he leaned forward, his voice gentler now. “You seem uncomfortable, Capri. Every time we talk about something that’s not work, it’s like you’re pulling back. Is there a reason for that?”
Her heart raced as she forced herself to meet his eyes. The sincerity in his gaze made her stomach flip. She hated this—hated feeling like she was losing control of the conversation, of the situation.
“I’m not pulling back,” she lied, her voice steadier than she felt. “I just…don’t do well with plans or commitments. Never have.”
Jake didn’t say anything right away. His blue eyes searched her face as if he was trying to see past the mask she always wore. “I wasn’t asking for a commitment,” he said slowly, “just a little time. But if that’s more than you’re ready for, I understand.”
Capri forced a smile, reaching for her glass of water as a way to break the tension. “It’s not that, Jake. I just need to keep my focus right now. The renovation, the rafting business, all of it. I don’t have room for…any distraction.”
The word hung between them, more loaded than she intended. Jake didn’t flinch, though. He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Alright. I won’t push. Just know I really like you. I’d like to be friends…maybe explore where that takes us.”
She nodded, feeling relief and guilt all at once. His patience gave her space to breathe, to figure out her own tangled emotions without the pressure of expectation. It wasn’t that she didn’t like him—if anything, his presence was starting to feel like the one solid thing in her life. But for now, she needed time, and Jake seemed to understand that perfectly.
As they finished dinner, the conversation drifted back to safer topics—work, the house, the town. But the words Jake had said stayed with her, lingering long after she left his house that evening.
She told herself this was just about protection, keeping things in check. But as she drove home, a nagging thought crept in. What if she was pushing away something good—something real—because she didn’t know how to let someone in?