Page 87 of Capri

I know it’s not my smartest move, given she’s made it perfectly clear we can only ever be friends. But I feel the effect I have on her, still do after all this time.

Our interaction at the bar only confirmed it. The way her body shivered beneath my touch. She made no effort to move as I kissed my way down the slope of her neck.

I made my stance known with simply how strongly I reacted toward another man touching her. I’ll remain respectful of her wishes, something I very rarely do with anything.

But for Capri, I’ll wait until she’s ready.

If she ever is.

Noticing at some point my mother has fallen asleep, I tidy up her things, storing them on the bedside table, and give her a kiss on the head.

“I love you, Mom,” I tell her quietly.

As I make my way out of the room, I hear her soft voice, just barely above a whisper. “Proud of you, son.”

And at this moment, I know everything will be okay.

26

CAPRI

Where the helldid I put it?

I search the bathroom high and low—nothing. I even go back and check in my suitcase to see if maybe I left my curling iron in there after Italy.

Nope.

I have a Zoom meeting with my principal and teaching staff in thirty minutes, and my hair looks like a storm blew through it.

Gone are the natural beach waves from the Amalfi Coast, and in comes the frizz from the humid state of South Carolina.

Deciding I have no other choice, I run a straightener through my hair and hop on my call. Why are we having a Zoom meeting before teachers get back from summer break? I have no idea.

I’d like to get this call over with quickly and enjoy my last few weeks of freedom and sunshine. That’s one of the most challenging parts about being a teacher: being stuck indoors all day. Except for recess, of course, with kindergarteners.

I love my job and the benefit of getting summers off. I originally went into teaching because of that. With dreams of becoming a mother and having the advantage of staying home with my own children, it felt like a no-brainer to me.

How things have changed…

The call lasted close to an hour and was just to inform the staff of what to expect in a few weeks. Teachers return a week before the students to prepare and get our classrooms in order.

This will be the first year I have to do this on my own.

No manly muscles to rearrange heavy furniture or to assist in hanging things I can’t reach. Not that Drew was much of help anyway. My dad would offer to help, but after throwing his back out a few years ago, I’d rather him not put too much strain on himself.

The summer goes by too fast. Although, this was a summer to remember.

Speaking of…I still haven’t gotten over the fact that I invited Jones over tomorrow night.

I’m not sure why I would volunteer for something so likely to set myself up for failure. I have no willpower where that man is concerned.

I would quite literally do anything he asks me and with a big fucking smile on my face.

I’m strait-laced. Planned. Organized. A control freak. I’m not spontaneous. I don’t trust or let my guard down for anyone anymore.

Except Jones. I mean, Christ, I all but let him take me in The Funky Rooster hallway.

Capri from eight months ago would have been appalled. Capri today is horny just thinking about it. Thinking about all the talent Jones Archer is capable of and how good it felt to give control over to him.

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