Page 68 of Capri

I nod in understanding because I get it. I’m not sure I would have been strong enough had the roles been swapped. “I wish you would have. Said goodbye, I mean.” I can’t help it, and I reach to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, a gesture that feels like muscle memory.

I watch, transfixed, as goosebumps flood her arms at my touch. “I’m sorry, Jones. I didn’t think I would feel so?—”

“It’s okay,” I say, cutting her off. I don’t want her to feel upset about her decision. I just wanted to make sure she was okay. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I was disappointed, that’s all.”

She smiles sweetly, and all the feelings I thought I buried come rushing back. “You live here?” she asks timidly. That’s a question we worked hard to avoid in Italy, and here she is asking it without thinking.

All I can think is I should have done it sooner.

“Only three months out of the year,” I tell her, and her brows peak in question. “I care for my mother.”

I see sympathy fill her. “Is she sick?”

I don’t know why, but it feels like a struggle to admit it. Maybe because I don’t want her to feel sad for me. “Something like that.”

Capri nods, and I can tell the moment between us has ended. “I’m sorry to hear that. I can’t imagine how hard that must be.” Her eyes search for anything other than me. “It was good to see you, Jones. Unexpected.”

Before she can turn away, my hand reaches out, spinning her to face me. “Can I see you again?”Please say yes.

The soft tilt of her head tells me she’s questioning if it’s a good idea or not. “I don’t know, Jones.” Her bright eyes drop just a touch. “I’m really trying to focus on myself right now. You know…healthy mind, healthy life.”

I don’t want to bring up the guy I just witnessed with his arm around her. Not my business, but at this point, I’ll take her however I can get her.

“That’s perfect. So am I. We can focus on ourselves together.” I grin, sending her a wicked wink, and she giggles.

God, I love that sound.

Her response wounds me. “I won’t fuck you, Jones. I mean it.”

Okay, so I have to keep my hands to myself? Shouldn’t be that difficult, right?

“That’s okay, sweetheart. Been there, done that,” I joke, and she swats at my arm. “Best lay I ever had.”

“And last one from me,” she adds, and I won’t lie, I’m slightly disappointed. “It’s important to me that I learn how to be single and stand on my own.”

Good girl.“As you should.”

“But I could use a friend?” My ears perks up. Her question is the green light I need.

I don’t know what my intentions are with Capri. I never expected to have a chance to spend time with her again, but I’ll take it.

“I’d like that.” I smile. “I’m only here for three months before I head back. Taking care of my mother, then getting back to work.”

“You just got here?”

“Last week, yeah.”

She nods in understanding. “Phone?” Her dainty hand awaits my phone. I can’t keep my eyes off her sprinkling of freckles along the bridge of her nose, looking more prominent as we near the end of the summer.

“There,” she says after inputting her number.

I check her contact and laugh at the name she put for herself.

“I’ll be in touch, Capri from Capri.”

She grins without another word and enters the door behind her.

Today took an unexpected turn.

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