“It is. When Travis told me they were getting married here, I was surprised they had chosen a random town. But he said you and Jessica used to come up here as kids. And I can see why. It’s gorgeous.”
She nodded. “This is the first time I’ve been back since before they passed.”
He couldn’t imagine what she was possibly going through, being back here with memories of her parents everywhere. But he also didn’t know much about their passing.
“Is it hard to be back?”
She sighed. “I was worried it would be, but it isn’t. This might sound crazy, but it makes me feel closer to them. Almost like they were at the wedding watching Jessica recite her vows. It was really comforting.”
He pressed a kiss to her shoulder and froze. She stiffened. He hadn’t meant to do that. Brent already felt like he knew Candace well, despite this trip being the longest amount of time they had ever spent together. It felt natural having her in his arms and kissing her shoulder.
“I’m sorry, I?—”
She cut him off and waved a hand in the air, flicking the warm water over both of their faces. “It’s okay. You don’t need to explain.”
Silence fell between them, but he desperately needed to keep her talking, worried things would go back to being tense between them.
“I’m glad you feel closer to your parents here, and it isn’t harder. I’m assuming Jessica feels the same way?”
She nodded. “I think so. I think that’s why she chose it.”
“You haven’t discussed it?”
“We have, but not in great detail. She told me she planned to have the wedding up here before they booked everything. I think she wanted to make sure it wouldn’t upset me.”
He instinctively tightened his arms around her, hugging her closer to his chest. Her hands rested on his arms and gave them a small squeeze.
“I told her it was her wedding and she should do what she wants. I was a little apprehensive that it would make me incredibly sad, you know?”
“But you didn’t tell her,” he said softly.
She shook her head. “I didn’t tell her. I would never take her dream wedding away from her. Even if the location gave me anxiety for months.”
He lifted her and lightly shifted her so she could face him easier while still keeping her foot propped outside the hot tub.
“You know you’re amazing, right? Raising your sister. Giving her everything, even though it wasn’t your responsibility. Sacrificing yourself and your dreams for her.”
A small smile touched Candace’s lips. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I know.”
Her eyes flickered back and forth between his before dropping to his lips briefly before meeting his eyes again.
He leaned forward and her eyes fluttered shut. Just before their lips touched, a gust of wind blew between them with a flurry of snowflakes.
Candace squeaked and pulled back. “Oh my gosh. We should get inside.”
Brent still held onto her, but nodded. It was probably for the best their kiss was interrupted, but he couldn’t deny he didn’t want it.
