Chapter 15: More than friendship

The kitchen smelled like pancakes, bacon, and coffee. Warmth of the morning sun poured through the windows, encompassing the whole room and seemingly everyone in it. Capri sat on a stool wearing one of Chyler's oversized T-shirts, looking less of a public figure and more like a girl Chyler knew for a moment, free-spirited and unguarded. Major seemed to have warmed up to her quickly too.

She had a pancake in front of her but instead of eating it, she used syrup to draw some faces which Major found amusing. "You are weird," he said laughing.

"Excuse me," she said mocking offense. "I'm creatively unhinged, thank you very much."

"Can I try?" he asked excitedly.

"Of course! Let's create every monster we can think of. Then... eat them up!" she added, tickling him. Major laughed uncontrollably, swinging his legs on the high stool.

Chyler leaned against the counter, a cup of coffee in her hand and watched the two with an amused smile. It felt oddly domestic, like something out of a life she hadn't realized she missed until now. Capri looked completely at ease with Major, with her, with the kitchen chores... This was a beautiful morning to wake up to. It made her forget all the other chaos going around.

Then, like an advert right in the middle of a juicy, dramatic TV show, came the unmistakable voice of her sister. Juneau walked into the kitchen, her eyes narrowed.

"Did you decide to throw a party this early in the morning, Chyler? Or what sort of market business is going on here?"

Her tone was dripping with her usual passive-aggressive edge until her gaze landed on Capri. Her jaw literally dropped.

"Oh my God! Capri Channing?" Her demeanor flipped like a light switch within seconds. Her arms flailed slightly as she stepped forward, a squeal taking over her voice. "No freaking way! You are like— You! I used to watch your vlogs religiously in college! And in highschool... I mean you were the legend. The queen! Everyone talked about you even after you graduated and now you are here? In our kitchen!"

"Here we go," Chyler muttered. She groaned and rolled her eyes then took a long sip of coffee, watching Juneau blow up.

"Hi! I'm Juneau, Chyler's younger sister. I didn't know you and her were close," she said, giving Chyler a sidelong glance.

Capri gave her a polite smile. "Hi, Juneau." She frowned, briefly glancing at Chy. "I don't think I met you before when we were...younger."

June's face flushed. "Yeah, I was in middle school. I joined highschool the year after you graduated. I was the little sister Chy never wanted to take anywhere."

Capri chuckled, unsure of what to say. Looking at Chyler, she could tell from her expression alone that this moment wasn't fun. While Juneau looked starstruck, Chyler was just... frowning?

"This is unreal! I can't even believe I'm standing next to the Capri Channing. I mean, what are you even doing here?" June went on. "Wait, are you two working on something together? Like a project?"

Capri looked at Chyler briefly who still had that long disbelieving look. She chuckled, "No project. It's just breakfast. Chy and I are friends."

"Well, if I knew royalty was visiting, I would have worn actual clothes," she laughed, smoothing her rumpled shirt. "You are such an inspiration, Capri."

Chyler rolled her eyes, having had enough of her sister's hypocrisy. "She is a person. Not a Pinterest board."

Capri smiled, sensing the underlying tension between the two. "Thank you, Juneau. That's kind of you." A minute later, she stood up and patted Major's head. "I should get going. I need a long bath and loads of detoxifiers."

Chyler nodded and followed her towards the door.

"It was such a pleasure, Capri! Come back anytime," Juneau called out after them.

Outside, the morning was bright and sunny. Capri shielded her eyes as she stepped onto the porch until her eyes adjusted to the light. Chyler shut the door behind them and let out a sigh. "I'm sorry about Juneau. She can be too much."

"Annoying little sister or sibling rivalry?" Capri cocked a brow.

"Both."

Capri laughed. "I think she was sweet. A little overwhelming because I hate that kind of praise, but sweet. I think I'd rather be adored than hated. She glanced sideways at Chyler and smiled. "Besides, it's nice to be reminded that I'm still... relevant, I guess."

"You are more than relevant," Chy said quietly.

"Thank you, for everything," Capri said, stopping in the driveway. "For coming to get me last night. For letting me crash in your bedroom. I didn't want to be anywhere else last night. But I'm sorry for displacing you."

"You didn't."

"Oh, so you didn't sleep on the couch?" Capri asked rhetorically.

"I was working late anyway so, it's not a big deal," Chyler said then stepped towards her car. "Come on, I'll drop you off."

"You don't have to. I've already taken too much of your time."

"I'm headed to that direction anyway to meet someone. Get in."

"Alright, then sure," Capri gave a playful nod of approval.

The car ride was mostly quiet. Chyler focused on the road while Capri stared out the window. The hum of the engine filled the silence until they pulled into the quiet suburban street where Capri lived as a kid. The mansion loom high above the wall, behind a large iron gate. Chyler didn't turn off the engine.

Before Capri opened the door, she paused with her hand on the handle. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

Chyler glanced at her. "Yeah?"

"If I wasn't..." she hesitated. "You know... entangled in a marriage, if things were different. Would you give me a chance?"

The question struck Chyler hard than she had anticipated. She shifted in her seat, her hand tightening its grip on the wheel. The question unraveled years of pain, silence, longing and complicated memories. She stared at Capri for a moment, then looked away before answering.

"I've asked myself that a lot," she said quietly. "Whether I'm holding back because you are married or because I'm afraid of getting hurt again."

"And?" Capri asked with a steady gaze.

"The truth is," Chyler sighed. "It was never just friendship I wanted from you. It was always more and that hasn't changed."

Capri's eyes shimmered. Her lips parted slightly but no words came. Silence took reign between them, looking at each other, sharing the truth in the quiet of the car. Then she finally nodded.

"Okay." She opened the door and stepped outside then paused and leaned in through the window. "Thanks again for everything."

Chyler nodded, her heart still thudding against her ribs. "Text me when you are settled, alright?"

"I will."

Capri turned and walked up to the gate. Chyler watched her key in the passcode then disappear behind the gate. It was then she leaned back and eased out a long hard breath of everything that was left unsaid and undone. She knew that she was playing with fire. But this time, she was a little less afraid of getting burned.