Alle Kapitel von Not bound by honey: Kapitel 41 – Kapitel 50

We finally got to the next campsite and ate again in the same communal setting. The night settled slowly over the campsite. The last of the laughter from the other riders faded into the trees, and one by one the lanterns dimmed until only the crackle of the dying fire remained. The forest felt different after dark. Inside the tent, everything felt smaller. My stomach stirred as I waited for Jason to finally head back from his last conversation. I have been missing his touch the whole day. Spoilt by our constant contact Jason ducked through the flap behind me, zipping it closed. The sound seemed louder than it should have been. We changed in the soft glow of a small battery lamp hanging from the center pole. I stole a look at him while I pulled on one of his old T-shirts, I could feel his eyes were on me too. I finally looked up at him again, he looked intent. “What?” I asked, pretending innocence. He stepped closer instead of answering. His fingers slid under the

lI could not get a word out of him. He climbed onto Biscuit before Jeff even got back and headed for our cabin. I did not have much faith in my navigational skills and decided to painstakingly wait for Jeff. He insisted we eat lunch, which I understood since he did not have the urgency I had, but he could definitely have been hungry from his own long day. Edith tried to comfort me, apologising profusely. But I knew it was not her fault and could not feel any animosity towards her.She insisted I pack extra meals for Jason, the kids and myself, which I did.Riding back, I did not know what to think. I had never seen Jason that way. We did not ever walk out on each other and we have had some intense fights about our parenting skills, roommate issues and even our schedules.The cabin seemed quiet. I climbed down from Chickpea. Jeff helped me unpack my things from the satchel bags and gave me a you’ve got this look.I put the things by the car and headed into the cabin. Jason was sitting

He placed the record in, and I actually recognized the first song, Leaving on a Jet Plane. We talked for a while with the soft music playing behind us, the lyrics drifting between us, quiet but somehow heavy with meaning. I finished my coffee and got to my feet. Jason followed behind me. I put my cup in the sink and turned, and accidentally bumped into him. Then again, as if fate were nudging us closer. He didn’t move away. His hand brushed mine, just a fleeting touch at first, but it lingered longer than it should. I felt a warmth spread through me, a tension that had been simmering for weeks finally surfacing. Jason leaned slightly closer, his presence pressing against mine in a way that made it impossible to think clearly. His eyes caught mine and held them. No words just the heat in his gaze, the faintest smile teasing the corner of his lips. I stepped back, trying to mask my racing heartbeat, but he mirrored me, closing the space again. Every movement, every accidental brush o

Italy memories Jason was up early and gone before I woke. I slept longer than I meant to. When I finally stepped into the shower, the hot water poured over me, steady and relentless. I closed my eyes, letting it drown out the noise in my head. The bathroom door opened. I felt it before I heard it a shift in the air behind me. I turned, expecting Jason. Instead, I was met with Chris. Completely bare. For a split second I couldn’t breathe. It felt like seeing a ghost or being caught by one. My heart slammed against my ribs and instinct took over. My hand flew out and struck him. “I’m so sorry, Chris I wasn’t expecting anyone.” He laughed softly, rubbing the spot I’d hit, water running down both of us. “Wow,” he said, a slow grin forming. “You are feisty.” I turned the water off quickly and stepped out, reaching for my towel. The warmth evaporated. Shame crept in. I suddenly felt guilty and disgusted with my body. Feeling shame course through me as I stood there.

I went to take a shower and realised that with the open plan I had nowhere private to get dressed.“Uhm Jase, you mind going out so I can get ready”I heard him step to the door and slam itHow long is his mood going to lastAs I was drying my hair my mind drifted to Chris. Why did I think he has been single since I was thirteen? And could it be true that he has other women? I was nearly done zipping up my shorts when Jason came in.“Right” he said “We got some planning to do, we are here in Southern France are we going to book a tour or do our own thing? Our budget is limitless”I then had an idea “Jase, how long will we be here?”“As long as we need” he said“Well why don’t we do a different type of holiday type on every day? For example we do a wine tour day, day two life in Southern France in a camper van, day three booking into a hotel and doing everything that comes with that, day four a full on french beach day with coastal food, day five hiking, day six doing what the locals