Free The Promises We Keep (Made for Love Book 1) by R.C. Martin Page A

express that this is something that you need, she will come to understand. I know this is a drastic suggestion. I would recommend that you spend some time praying about it. ”
    “ Yeah, ” I say with a sniff. For a second, I ’ m relieved by the recommendation. I don ’ t have to make any decisions about this now. Who knows, I could pray about it and not feel at peace about it.
    But then I feel it — this sense of calm overtaking my fear — and I somehow know that God has been a part of this conversation the whole time.

    It ’ s around eleven o ’ clock Saturday night when I wonder where the day has gone. Beckham and I are sitting on the floor in his parents sitting room, studying around the coffee table. Kenzie was working on homework with us earlier, but has since gone to bed, along with Dr. and Mrs. Willis. After spending the majority of the day with my parents and Avery, I was able to sneak away for dinner with my second family.
    After dinner, Beck and I played with Kenzie for hours on the Wii before we convinced her that we really needed to do some studying. She wasn ’ t too disappointed, since she had homework she could work on along side of us, and mama Willis made us snacks to indulge in while we worked. Up until now, I ’ ve been able to hold onto my focus; but I ’ m starting to get tired, so I ’ m easily distracted. Every time Beck moves, my eyes travel in his direction.
    I promised myself that I would be honest with him about the feelings that I ’ ve been struggling with lately, but today has been such a lovely day that I almost don ’ t want to talk about them at all.
    I ’ m pulled from my thoughts when his gaze flickers up to meet mine and I ’ m caught staring. A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth and it ignites a warmth in my belly that seems to spread. Suddenly, talking is the last thing on my mind and I imagine a few other things I ’ d rather be doing. I smile when he sets down his pencil and crooks his finger at me, beckoning for me to come closer. I obey and, as I crawl toward him, his hands find my waist and he pulls me into his lap.
    “ Hey, ” he murmurs, his eyes devouring my face.
    “ Hey. ”
    Silence settles between us and while I want to kiss him, something stops me. His eyes can ’ t seem to get enough of me and I like the way it makes me feel, so I hold back. He reaches a hand up and slips his fingers into my hair as he gently holds the back of my neck. His touching me makes me want to touch him, so I do, reaching up to rest my hand around his cheek. He leans into my palm and my desire to kiss him escalates; again, I stop myself. This tender moment deserves to be savored.
    “ I have to tell you something, ” he says softly, his tone indicating that he recognizes the fragility of this moment.
    “ Okay, ” I whisper.
    “ It ’ s a secret. ”
    A smile tugs at my lips as I caress his cheek with my thumb. “ I can keep a secret. ”
    “ Jackson is going to ask Claire to marry him. ” As he speaks the words, he looks me straight in the eye. His statement has me frozen and for a moment I don ’ t know what to think. “ He was planning on buying a ring this weekend. That ’ s why his mom is in town. He ’ s going to propose next weekend. ”
    “ Wow, ” I manage. I pull my eyes from his as a mini battle rages inside of my head. On the one hand, I ’ m thrilled for them. They make each other happy and it ’ s great that Jack wants to commit himself to Claire forever. On the other hand, I can ’ t help but wonder why Beckham isn ’ t ready to do the same with me.
    I shake my head, trying to remind myself that I ’ ve already decided that I trust my man and that it ’ s better if we operate under his timing. I ’ m not going to go back on that, no matter how much I want to, because my mom was right — he needs to take the lead on this one and I cannot rush him.
    “ She ’ ll say yes, ” I say, breaking the silence. “ I know she will. ”
    “ Yeah,