Page 4 of Capri

“I never needed you, Drew. I just spent too many years being brainwashed by you, and I’m happy I can see that crystal clear now. What a waste of time you were.”

His head rears back. “You’re serious right now? It’s over?” How can he not see how serious I am? Like I would run back to him after this.

Not a chance in hell.

“We’ve been over. It’s time for you to be a man and deal with the mess you made,” I say proudly, feeling free to finally accept it. “You’re actually doing me a favor. I guess there’s always a first time for everything.”

I smile with my dignity fully intact and leave the home that always felt empty and the husband who was never truly my husband.

I know I have a long road ahead of me with much lonelier days, but what’s a couple more when I’m already a resident of that kind of solitude?

One thing I know about life is that there’s always more time. If we’re lucky, that is.

1

CAPRI

6 months later

“You didn’t tellme there was a Jacuzzi tub!”

“Actually, I did. I sent you the itinerary,” I remind her, and Collie has the nerve to look repulsed. “You didn’t read it, did you?” I ask.

“I didn’t and I don’t plan to,” she tells me, eyes full of passion. “I know where I’ll be soaking my fresh suntan at night.” Collie sprawls out in the bathtub, pretending to be asleep.

I snort, laughing at her dramatics. “Not that it matters to you, but I brought sunscreen, too,” I tease her, knowing it’ll only piss her off more.

I really did bring plenty. Ever the preparer, I am.

She flips me off. “Boo, you whore,” making her way around our temporary home for the next seven days and taking in all the little details.

We upgraded to the poolside suite, giving us swim-up access that leads to the resort’s lazy river.

I may never leave.Now, if I can just find myself a margarita. I deserve it after these past two weeks. Hell, this past year.

“Oh, don’t be sour. It helps to have a plan,” I say, writing her off.

Good thing I have our schedule for the week stored in the notes app on my phone. She can hate on me all she wants, but I’m sending it to her.

She’s crazy if she thinks I came here without doing some proper research. I’m anything if not predictable.

Collie’s phone pings with a notification.That would be our itinerary.“Capri, stop,” her firm yet loving voice exclaims as she tosses her phone to the side.

I lift my eyes and find my sister staring at me like she’s close to a nervous breakdown. “What?” I ask her. “What am I doing?”

“Fuck the itinerary,” she says, her eyes going wide and her tone snippy.

I giggle, assuming she’s kidding. “Yeah, okay.”

Collie is free to do her own thing, although I really was looking forward to spending time together. This was meant to be a trip for us to relax, forget about life for a while, and rid ourselves of men who lack brain cells.

The pretty views and strong drinks are just an added bonus.

Believe it or not, I feel successful on a schedule and knowing what comes next. It’s just the way I’m wired. More so now than ever. I’ve had to learn to depend on myself and keep busy.

I appreciate the structure of a well-thought-out plan.

I roll my luggage toward my bedroom for the next week, planning to unpack and organize my things before we explore. “Want to unpack, then go tour the grounds?” I ask her, not bothering to watch what she’s doing.

---