Page 103 of The Obvious Check
Cade startles, his brows shooting up. “Jeez, Pretty Girl, what the hell was that?”
I slap a hand over my mouth, my excitement bubbling over as I quickly read the message again, my entire body is vibrating.
This is it.
This is actually happening.
Cade sits up straighter, his eyes narrowing at my reaction. “Okay, what’s got you all riled up? ’Cause if it’s not me, I think I might have a problem with it.”
I let out a breathy laugh, unable to contain my grin as I turn the screen toward him. “Fern, my foster counselor, texted. I called her yesterday.”
That gets his full attention. He shifts back to me completely, his green eyes locking onto mine. “Oh, yeah? What’d she say?”
“That in order to start the process of potentially adopting Adley, I need to get a few things together, but the most important part is the home visit. They need to see the space for Adley and meet you.”
“Well, I can’t wait to show them what a perfect couple we make.”
His confidence, his unwavering support, it’s enough to make my chest ache.
“Do you know when it will be?”
“She says she’s looking at next week.”
“Oh, wow.” His brows lift in surprise. “That’s fast.”
“Yeah, well, I may have pushed them a little. After talking to her, I sent an email explaining how unstable Adley’s current living situation is and emphasized how much we need to be reunited.”
His lips part slightly before pressing into a firm line. “Good for you, Sav,” he murmurs, his voice rough with sincerity. “I’m proud of you.”
A lump rises in my throat at his words, at how much he believes in this. “Thanks,” I whisper.
Cade’s hand cups the back of my head as he presses his lips to my forehead in a lingering kiss, his warmth seeping into my skin, steadying me.
We’re really doing this. We’re making this happen.
Cade pulls back just enough to look me in the eye, his fingers still warm against my skin. There’s something else in his expression now, something softer but equally intense.
“Are you still planning on coming to my game tonight?”
I step back, so I can look him in the eyes. “I’d love to.”
“Good.” His lips twitch into a smirk, but there’s something else behind it. “But if you’re coming, there are a couple of things you’ll need to look the part.”
“The part of?”
He scoffs, undeterred by my ignorance, and turns back to his bag. “My fiancée, of course. Now, where is it?” he asks himself, searching through the bag. “Aha.”
He doesn’t take whatever he’s found out, but he does turn to me with a grin.
Cade blows out a shaky breath. “Savannah Barnett.” I can feel the nervousness radiating off him, which is strange. I’ve gotten to know him so well in the past month and nothing usually shakes him.
“You are the most incredible, loving, and caring person I’ve ever met.”
“Uh.”
“Let me finish,” he teases. “I know we’ve not known each other for long, but every time I look at you, I can’t help but see my future. You’re strong, brave, and everything I could ever ask for in a life partner. Frankly, now that you’re in it, I couldn’t imagine life without you.” He pauses, just long enough for his declaration to settle deep inside my bones.
“And I don’t want to.”
