Page 61 of Capri

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 thenow.

“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.

17

CAPRI

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