Page 89 of The Obvious Check
“Don’t thank me yet,” she says, a smile in her voice. “But… good luck.”
The line goes dead, and I sit motionless at the counter, my phone clutched to my chest.
A home visit.
After years of getting brushed off. After hearing I’m too young, I’m too unstable, I’m not readyover and over again. After all the times I’ve felt powerless, this is finally happening.
I let out a breath, then suddenly, laughter bubbles from my throat. I jump up, spinning around the living room, my heart pounding with a mixture of joy and disbelief.
I need to tell Cade.
With my phone still in hand, I pull up our messages, my fingers hovering over the screen. But no, this isn’t something to tell him over text. I want to see his face when I say it out loud. I want him to see that our plan is working and let him know how appreciative I am that he’s making my dreams come true.
Stanley, who had moved to the couch when I started talking, jerks up at the sound of my excitement, ears perked. A second later, his tail wags wildly, and he lets out a loud, celebratorywoof.
“You get it, don’t you, bud?” I laugh, scratching behind his ears as he wiggles excitedly, his tongue hanging out. “We might actually pull this off.”
Stanley barks again like he knows this is something worth celebrating. His enthusiasm is contagious, and I feel a sudden burst of energy.
“Are you ready for that walk now?” I grab his leash from the hook by the door. “Let’s celebrate.”
Stanley lets out another sharp bark, practically vibrating with excitement as I clip the leash onto his collar.
I grab my jacket and step outside with him. When the cool night air hits my skin, I feel a rush of adrenaline because finally, I don’t feel lost anymore. I feel hopeful, and I can’t wait to tell Cade.
I slow my pace as my thumb hovers over Adley’s contact. I want to tell her about my conversation with Fern, but I won’t. It’s way too early in the process. Hell, it hasn’t even begun, but I need to hear her voice just to remind myself who I’m fighting for. I tap her name and bring my phone to my ear.
Stanley nudges my leg softly, his tail wagging as I take a seat on one of the park benches. This isn’t where we normally stop and he rests his head on my thigh, looking up at me. “It’s okay, buddy,” I whisper. The ringing seems to stretch forever, and right before I’m about to hang up, she answers.
“Sav?” Her voice is quiet and cautious. “Give me just a second.” There’s muffled laughter on the other end of the line and I hear shuffling as she searches for a quiet spot. “Is everything all right?”
I swallow the lump in my throat, suddenly emotional just hearing her voice. “Hey, Ads. Sorry if I caught you at a bad time. I just really wanted to hear your voice?”
“Well, you’re lucky I just got out for lunch. It would’ve been confiscated if it went off in class, then I wouldn’t have it for a month.”
A beat of silence passes as I remember the last time I did that. Her foster parents didn’t bother getting it back as a form of punishment for leaving it on during school hours.
“So… how’s Cade?” she teases, and my stomach flips instantly at the mention of his name. Cade isn’t just some guy helping me anymore, he’s my future husband, and I suddenly realize how badly I want her to know.
“Really? That’s the first thing you’re going to ask me about? Him? Not how I’m doing?”
“Oh, please! You can’t video call me from his house, on his iPad, while petting his dog, and not expect me to have questions.”
His house. The place I now call home, and hopefully, soon, she will too.
“He’s… amazing.”
“Oh, yeah?” she teases gently. “Sounds like someone’s got a major crush.”
“More than a crush,” I admit, tightening my hold on Stanley’s leash. “I, uh… we’re engaged.”
I wince, slowing my steps, waiting anxiously for her reaction.
Silence.
I pull the phone from my ear briefly, making sure I didn’t accidentally disconnect.
“Adley?”
