It was a pat answer, but at least he gave me the dang plants.
I hadn’t seen Jack in three days. And it was the reality check I needed.
One thing I learned, loud and clear. There was somethingwrongwith me. Trusting too easily was my fundamental flaw. I should’ve known by now what to expect. Itoldmyself this would happen.
This was Jack. Who he was. How he responded. It was why we were broken beyond repair. Because Jack wouldn’t ever stick around for therepairpart. Something about brokenness scared the heck out of him. He wouldn’t face it like a man. Never had. And Iknewthis about him.
But did I use my past experience to make smart choices and keep my guard up? Nope. Like a gullible idiot, I let him sweep me off my feet. Had Kacey not interrupted us, Iwould’ve let Jack take me to his bed—as if this wasn't convoluted enough already.
Stupid. Stupid.
I understood he was angry, but we had mountains to scale, and he wouldn’t get back here so we could start the journey. He hadn’t even let me get a word in about what happened.
I expected him to avoid me. But now, he was avoidingKacey.Whether he liked it or not, he was a father. And conversations needed to be had. We had to figure out what happened in the past and do our best to fix it.
I thought about texting him the whole story and begging him to come back. But decided against it. I was pissed at him. He was being the same old, cowardly Jack. I wasn’t going to spill my guts over text. If he wanted the truth, he could face me—head on. Like a freaking adult for once.
I’d let myself stew for days over his words,we’ll talk custody arrangements later.Once I had my money, we could talk custody all the livelong day. Because I would get the best and be ready.
If he wanted to call off the marriage deal prior to the allotted time, I’d just refuse to sign papers. I was staying. Until I got my check, Jack was stuck with me. But when I finally did…I was starting fresh. Completely. Nothing could make me stay.
My garden might have a decent foundation, but this marriage never did. What I needed was a fresh start. A new life.
I’d heard Jack coming and going at weird hours, presumably to sleep and have a quick bite. But he was only ever home during sleeping hours, and I never caught him.
Didn’t care to catch him anyway.
In fact, I was so pissed I washed the stupid sweatshirt. All of the desires we’d been playing with were a disaster justwaiting to happen. I tried to ignore the pain in my chest when I pulled it out of the dryer and it smelled like detergent.
But on the fifth day of total and utter avoidance, I texted him:This is ridiculous, Jack. Are we going to talk like adults or keep avoiding this conversation like we are in middle school?
It wasn’t until the end of the day that he texted me back:When?
Me:After Kacey’s in bed.
Jack:I’m working.
Me:Tonight. Make it happen.
Jack: Fine.
THIRTY-THREE
Then
Miranda
We tied the knot after a two-month engagement. I was twelve weeks pregnant at our wedding and you couldn’t even tell. The baby was kind to me and let me keep my body for a while. I didn’t have the slightest bump yet and still looked pretty hot in a bikini. Jack marveled at my pregnant body though—enjoying the parts thathadchanged. The crazy man actually looked forward to watching me waddle around.
Because my morning sickness was manageable, we had a destination wedding, small and intimate, on a Florida beach. I promised myself to the only man I’d ever loved while a sea breeze whipped my nearly sheer dress around my ankles. The wind picked up Jack’s short hair and rumpled his shirt sleeves.
He dipped me in a kiss then hauled me into the shallow surf for pictures.
My heart soared. Everything I hoped for—a doting husband, a child, a home, a place to fully belong—was coming to fruition. I’d given my heart to Jack over and over again. He was wonderful, perfect. And the life we were building together was better than my fantasies.
When our friends and family left, we laid in the sun for an entire week. It was the best week of my life with my best friend.
Going home didn’t even suck. I couldn’t wait to do real life with my husband.
