Page 59 of The Obvious Check

“Can you be late?”

“If it only affected me, yeah, but since the entire team would be stuck doing extra drills I can’t.”

I bite my lip and nod, even though every part of me is screaming at him to stay. As he moves away from the counter, he keeps a tight hold on me and helps me down.

Even when my feet are safely planted on the floor, he keeps hold of me.

“You okay?” he asks.

My legs are wobbly, my stomach is fluttering and I feel this craving to have him close, but I nod. “I’m good.”

Before he steps away, he grips my waist and pulls me in, kissing me one last time, slowly and deeply, like he’s making a promise this isn’t over between us. When he pulls back, he lets out a low laugh.

“You have no idea how much I don’t want to leave,” he mutters.

I smile, trying to keep my head above the flood of emotions threatening to pull me under. “I think I might have some idea.”

His thumb skims over my cheek, his eyes locked onto mine for a heartbeat longer. Then, with a reluctant sigh, he steps back and grabs his phone.

“Make yourself at home today. You know Stanley loves having you around.”

“Sure,” I say.

“July 17.”

I raise my brow in confusion.

“For my iPad. Call your sister. Tell her I said hi.”

I bite my bottom lip, wondering how the hell I would even start that conversation with Adley.

“Maybe tell her who I am first.” He squeezes my side, bringing me back to reality.

“I’ll be back this afternoon,” he says pointedly before he strolls over to the hallway and hauls a giant bag over his shoulder.

“Yes. I’ll see you later.” I try to tame down the stupid, lovestruck smile on my face, but it’s hard when Cade’s looking at me like I’m the best part of his day.

When the door closes behind him, I glance around the apartment, suddenly aware of the silence, taking it all in.

“So freaking lucky,” I whisper to myself as I clean up the kitchen.

Once I’ve finished, I grab the iPad and sink into the couch.

I type 0717 and spend a few minutes fumbling through apps before Stanley hops up beside me and curls in.

When I press the green call button, my pulse pounds. I’m about to see Adley. Not just hear her voice or imagine her on the other end of the line. I’m actually going to see her face.

Am I ready for this?

I’m not sure.

The screen flickers, then it clicks into place and my breath catches.

“Savannah?”

I let out a shaky breath as Adley’s face appears on the screen, her green eyes wide with disbelief, probably mirroring my own. She’s there. Right in front me, looking the same but different. Six years and she’s grown up so much. A lump forms in my throat as I take her in. Her cheekbones are more prominent, and she’s wearing thick eyeliner which only emphasizes how big her green eyes are.

“I can’t believe I’m seeing you,” I whisper, my fingers tightening around the iPad as if holding it will replace the need to hug her.

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