Page 131 of Capri

Her voice peaks at a higher decibel, the passion behind her intention made known. “Cool. Welcome to the twenty-first century, where everyone has a shitty past and a broken heart. That doesn’t mean you can’t be happy. Don’t be like Drew. Especially to a man who has done nothing but support you.”

I flinch. Not because I’m shocked but because she’s right.

“Collie, give her some space,” Dad says, trying to be my advocate.

I hold up my hand. “No, Dad. It’s okay. I need to hear it.”

Collie’s eyes settle on me again, and I can feel the emotion behind them. She’s just as upset as I am over this. “Capri, I saw you after Drew. We’ve talked about this before. But you are your own worst critic. Who says you can’t love someone after being hurt? You decided that for yourself, and what you failed to realize along the way is how happy Jones actually made you. How much he took care of you. I can’t remember the last time I saw you smile the way you did in Capri and the three months he was here. So Vivian triggered you? Who gives a shit. You let her win.”

“I didn’t mean to, but I just spiraled when I saw her. It didn’t help that Jones and I hadn’t talked about what happens after the three months.”

“Yet, you knew Jones would never hurt you like that?”

I nod. “He’s never made me think that.”

She throws her head back on a groan. “Then why would you jeopardize what you two have for something so small? God, Capri. You fucked up bad saying that about his mom. Really fucking bad.”

I shout, all my hurt coming to the surface. “I know that! I know I did! I hate myself every day for saying what I said to him. He’s too perfect, and it scares me. No one can be that perfect. We worked almosttoowell together.”

“So at the first sign of a potential problem you freak?”

I guess I did. Jones has been perfect this entire time. Pursuing me, caring for me, being patient with me. He’s never once shown me a side of himself that screams red flag.

If anything, I’m the red flag and he’s the green. The bright, loyal, all-signs-point-to-perfection green flag.

“I self-sabotaged,” I whisper, understanding it all too clearly now. “Jones would never hurt me like that. He loves me too much. Just like I love him.”

“Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner,” Collie sings out. “Now, what are you gonna do about it?”

“Let’s just take things one step at a time, honey,” Mom tells Collie.

What am I gonna do? I’ve been doing nothing but sitting on my ass for two months while the man I love carries on with his life across the world.

I’ve been doing nothing for too long.

Without a word, I dart to my bedroom and haul out my suitcase, throwing anything random I can find to wear and take with me. I don’t have time to waste.

“Sweetie, what are you doing? We’re not done talking,” Dad calls out to me.

I hear Collie giggling, and I know she’s gloating about the success of her intervention, but I don’t have it in me to fight it right now. Not when I have a plane to catch.

“So, what’s your plan, babe? Fly to Capri and say, ‘here I am, bitch’ or you got something better than that?”

Shoot. I honestly didn’t think this through. “I actually don’t know yet. I have a long plane ride to figure it out.” I pick up my phone and book the first flight out of South Carolina to Italy, needing to get there as fast as humanly possible.

I hustle in my bathroom, throwing my skincare into a toiletry bag as Collie says, “You realize you’re gonna have to grovel, right?”

Trust me, I know.“I’m well aware, and I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“You’re positive this is what you want? Because like I said, I’ll gladly take him if you don’t.” She grins, sarcasm strong.

I roll my eyes. “Oh, fuck off. I saw him first.”

Collie smiles wide and proud. “It’s about time you say it proudly.” She pulls me into a hug and whispers into my ear, “He’s not Drew, babe. You deserve a fair shot at happiness.”

I pause, taking in my sister’s words as a rush of emotions washes over me. “I’m scared, Cols.”

Her hold on me tightens. “One thing I know for sure is that Jones loves you. The kind of love a Meadows woman could only ever wish for. We’re strong personalities, difficult to tame and tie down.” She giggles. “But we love big. Even if we have a hard time showing it.”

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