Page 114 of The Obvious Check

Fern stands with a clipboard in her hand. “Savannah. It’s so good to see you.” She says it so warmly that I almost go in for a hug. Thankfully, I stop myself and give her a tight smile instead.

“It’s good to see you too. Please, come in.”

“Thank you.” Fern steps inside, and I close the door behind her.

She takes a slow look around the apartment with a small, approving smile tugging at her lips. “You’ve done well for yourself, Savannah. I still remember those conversations weused to have about what you wanted, what you were working toward, and now… here you are.”

Warmth rises in my chest at her words. It’s unexpected and overwhelming because it’s the closest I’ll get to hearing my parents say anything remotely similar. “Yeah,” I say quietly. “It’s been a journey.” My eyes drift to Cade, who’s standing near the kitchen with one hand on the counter. “But I got lucky.”

Fern nods, her gaze shifting between the two of us knowingly.

Cade takes no invitation and his expression is calm and focused as he offers his hand with a warm smile. “Hi, I’m Cade. Savannah’s fiancé.”

Wow. I’m wearing Cade’s ring. I’ve called him mine, but hearing him say it out like, like it’s permanent, makes my breath catch.

Fern’s eyebrows lift slightly as she takes his hand, her expression unreadable at first. Then she smiles. “So you’re the one I’ve heard about.”

Cade lets out a soft laugh. “All good I hope?”

Fern doesn’t smile this time, but there’s warmth in her voice. “Savannah doesn’t waste time on people who don’t matter. If you’re in her life, I trust it’s for a reason.”

I glance up at Cade, whose steady and reassuring eyes are already on me.

“I’m very glad you’re here today,” he says to Fern. “It means a great deal. To both of us.”

Fern nods, her gaze drifting between the two of us. “It’s not often I get to see someone come through so much, but Savannah’s determined. No matter what life’s thrown at her, she’s never stopped pushing forward.”

I shift under the weight of her words, unused to praise that feels this genuine. “I had to,” I say softly. “For Adley.”

Her expression softens. “She’s lucky to have you.” But then she turns to Cade, eyeing him carefully. “And are you fully on board with Adley coming to live here?”

Cade doesn’t hesitate. “Absolutely.” His voice is strong, unwavering. “Savannah and Adley deserve to be together. Whatever I have to do to make that happen, I will.”

The conviction in his voice hits me hard and only solidifies the feeling that I’m not alone. He’s not just doing this to help me, he believes it.

Fern studies Cade for a long moment before offering a small smile. “That’s good to hear. This is a nice place. You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into making sure Adley has a safe and welcoming home. That’s going to go a long way in this process. That said, if we want to be prepared for the legal matters that go along with something like this, you’ll need to speak to a lawyer.”

My stomach drops. “A lawyer?” The word tastes heavy on my tongue, like an obstacle I haven’t anticipated, and money I haven’t planned for.

“Yes.” Fern must sense my nerves because her voice softens. “I know someone who specializes in cases like this. She works between North Carolina and California and takes on select clients pro bono. I’ve already spoken to her, just to warm her up to your story, and I think she’d be willing to take your case on.” She reaches into her blazer pocket and pulls out a business card, holding it out to me. “Here’s her number. You don’t have to call her right away and I’m more than happy to talk things through before you do.”

I glance down at the name embossed across the smooth paper.

Ivy Tipton.

I swallow thickly, my fingers tightening around the card as Fern steps toward the door. My brain buzzes with the weight ofeverything—lawyers, paperwork, the process that still lies ahead. But now, it doesn’t feel impossible. It feels real.

Fern turns back once she reaches the door. “You’re doing a good thing, Savannah.” She glances between Cade and me, her eyes warm. “Adley is lucky to have you both.”

I barely manage a nod before she steps outside and closes the door behind her with a soft click.

The second she’s gone, I turn and run straight into Cade’s chest.

His arms wrap around me before I can even think, his warmth pressing into me, steady and strong. Without hesitation, I reach up, threading my fingers through his hair, and kiss him hard.

It’s messy, fueled by adrenaline and relief, but Cade kisses me back like he’s breathing me in, like he feels every inch of this moment as deeply as I do.When we finally pull apart, my forehead presses against his and my voice is barely above a whisper. “It’s going to happen. I just know it.”

Cade exhales, brushing his lips over my cheek before pulling me closer. “Yeah, Pretty Girl. It is. Shall we go out to dinner to celebrate?”

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