Enduring Everything (Marked Heart #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

recalled the other relationships I had been in. I couldn't blame everything that happened on someone else. I was responsible too for the things that went on. Throughout the years, Jackson only had a taste of the crazy that was me. Dysfunction is bearable in small doses but marriage meant twenty four hours a day. What if I couldn't find a balance with him? By the time Jackson made it back I was a nervous wreck.
    Jackson brought a bigger bag with him this time and hangers with slacks and suit jackets hanging from them. I pointed him to the extra room that had been a playroom when Sophia was little, now mostly used for storage.
    "I thought maybe we could share a room," Jackson teased as he looked around.
    Barely cracking a smile, I asked, "Are you trying to hurry up and marry me so I don't change my mind?"
    Stopping in the middle of hanging up his clothes, Jackson turned to me and assured, "No, I'm excited to be married to you."
    Without being able to help it, I blurted, "Why?"
    "Because I love you," he answered before continuing to hang up his clothes.
    Standing there I watched him , waiting for him to finish.
    I wondered if he was moving slower in order to give himself time to think. When he placed his last hanger in the closet, he looked down at his bag.
    "Should I leave it packed?" he asked without looking at me.
    Deciding to just get it over with, I blurted, "Jacks, I'm not ready."
    The disappointment was very clear in his eyes as he argued, "But you said yes."
    Stepping closer, I swore, "And I meant it, just not for Saturday."
    Looking me over, he settled his focus on my eyes before saying, "I guess I was getting a little carried away."
    "Jacks, I love you. I want to be with you, I just need some time to get used to the idea of getting married."
    Appearing serious but understanding, he shared, "It won't be like that with me."
    Doing my best to believe him, I said, "I know but marriage changes things and I like us the way we are."
    With a curious smile, he asked, "Is it still okay if I stay the night?"
    "I want you to stay every night," I assured, reaching out to pull him close.
    "Are we going to live together then?" he questioned.
    Quickly realizing living together wasn't enough for either of us, I shook my head.
    At this point, I was basically at war with myself. Everything happened so fast, I needed time to adjust. I had created a life for myself that was simple and routine. The most exciting thing that had happened to me since the night before last was when my new washer and dryer were delivered. I loved Jackson, waking up with him in the morning was the best and so was everything else that came with being with him. He would expect a real marriage, I didn't know if I could be the wife he wanted.
    As we stood there facing each other, I didn't know what he was going to do. I knew what he wanted. I wanted the same thing, just in a different way.
    "I need something to show me this is gonna happen for us Ren," Jackson said, with a look that made me want to curl up and die for hurting him.
    Taking a moment to think and will my fear away, I took a deep breath and replied, "I don't want us to just live together."
    Appearing as though he wanted to be happy but wasn't quite sure if he should, Jacks asked, "What about needing time?"
    Shaking off my personal issues for a moment, I smiled, saying, "If you promise not to spring anything else on me, I'm okay with Saturday."
    A wide smile spread across his face as he assured, "This is me and you. If you get nervous or have a problem we can always work it out."
    Sliding my arms around his waist, I rested my head against his chest. Feeli ng him hug me back, I decided that if setting a date for our wedding was our biggest problem I could do this.

5
    Monday Morning Announcements
    Waking up at seven, felt like two in the morning after the night Jackson and I had. At some point we were going to have to, either start earlier or limit ourselves to once per night on weeknights. Looking forward