"It's nice to meet you. Who are your parents?" Janette asks.
This is a typical question around here. If they don't recognize you, they ask about your parents to try to pinpoint who you are.
"Bill Ellenson," I tell her.
"Oh, Bill is such a great guy,” Tom says. “He helped when I got sick and took over the BBQ festival a couple of years back."
Janette nods in recognition. "Oh, you must invite him to the wedding."
North tenses beside me. I know that's not part of the plan.
"I'm sure he'd love to, but my little sister is home from college, and they're spending time together. She told me she's excited to have Dad to herself this week. I don't dare ruin that for her because they don't get much time together."
"Please make sure you say hi for us. And let him know we’ve been thinking about him," Janette says right before they get pulled away.
North blows out a breath and turns to me with a smile. "You’ve earned some fun time at the festival. Come on."
He pulls me farther into the crowd, and we stroll around, looking at local craft vendors and tasting the different foods. Then we head for the Ferris wheel, where we run into Sarah and Mac.
Sarah used to work at the dinner before Mac made his move after years of being her friend. She now lives down in Rock Springs, Texas, with his family.
"They’ll expect us to kiss at the top, and everyone will be watching," North whispers as we are seated in our car on the Ferris wheel.
It's true. Couples are expected to kiss at the top, and I'm sure his family is watching. I’ve felt eyes on me all night.
My nerves ramp up as we start the slow climb to the top. North takes my hand and tries to calm me. When he leans in and his lips finally land on mine for the second time today, it still feels like the first time. I don't know what to think of it. I expected the novelty of kissing him to have worn off by now.
If it feels like the first time every time he kisses me, I won't make it through the week.
Chapter 6
North
I'msodumbstruckbyour kiss at the top of the Ferris wheel that I consider begging her to go around again. But I know that that would be pushing things. I can't seem to get enough of her, and that's dangerous territory considering this situation has an end date.
As we step off the Ferris wheel, I see Ben waiting in line, a knowing smirk on his face.
"Candy, is he treating you well?" he asks.
She smiles. "Yeah, he is."
"But my ex isn’t treating her so well," I tell him.
"I never liked her." He sighs and then looks at Candy again. "You can always send me an SOS text if you need to get out of there."
"Thanks." She smiles and looks up at me.
I don’t like the idea of her needing an out to get away from me or my ex, but I know she'll feel more comfortable if she has one. I reach for her hand, and we step back into the festival.
We notice Vikki off to the side, glaring at us. Jake is with her and looks pissed off that she’s staring at us. I can only imagine their conversation—probably about why she cares who I'm here with. It’s okay for her to move on, but not me.
"I guess we won't be friends anytime soon." Candy shrugs and brushes it off.
We head toward a few more rides, and I block out everything except Candy. It's just the two of us, and we don't need anyone interfering with what should be a fun time. She’s doing me a huge favor, and I want her to enjoy herself and not feel like she has to constantly play a part.
As we're getting ready to leave, I get a text from my mom saying she'd like to have Candy and me over for dinner tomorrow to get to know her. No other details, like if Jake and Vikki will be there.
"My mom wants to have dinner with us tomorrow so she can get to know you better," I tell her as we walk back to my car.