Page 67 of The Obvious Check

That’s why. Cade has a point. Why wouldn’t an adoption agency think I’m the perfect candidate to look after her after they see me in such domestic bliss? About to get married to a handsome, successful man. No worries about rent… food always in the fridge… A room with insulated walls.

Cade has a stable life and a good job lined up. He has everything the courts would want to see, but what would that make us?

We kissed. I roll my eyes at my own thoughts because we didn’t just kiss.We kissed.On the countertop. With his hands gripping my waist, his body pressed against mine, and his lips owning me in a way no one ever has. If we weren’t interrupted, I was ready to let Cade do whatever the hell he wanted with me in that moment, and I still am. His hands. His lips. The way he looks at me. I’ve never felt this way about a guy before, but does that mean I’m ready to call him my husband?

We’ve been on one date with Chloe as an accidental chaperone, yet I already can’t stop thinking about him, and if I’m brutally honest with myself, I don’t want to. He’s perfect. Everything I’ve ever wanted. I know I’d be happy with him. How could I not?

It’s just the idea of it sounds crazy. So crazy that it just might work.

My phone buzzes beside me, and I smile when I see Adley’s name.

Adley:Sorryour catch-up was cut short today, but I loved seeing you, Sav. You look happy, and I can’t wait to hear more about Cade.

Cade. My chest tightens because how the hell would I explain to her that he’s her future brother-in-law if I agreed to this?

Ugh. Things just got really weird.

The door swings open, and another girl, Verity, strolls in and drops her things onto the vanity beside me. I quickly busy myself with my makeup, pretending to blend out the uneven foundation. Better to focus on that than to accidentally blurt out that I might be engaged and I don’t know what to do about it.

Fiancé… Husband…

The words alone are enough to send my pulse racing. The only other time I ever thought about marriage was when I made a pact with Jeremy in the group home. If we were both single when he turned 40, we’d get married. It was never intended to be a love match, it was out of necessity. Survival because if we were still alone at 40, then we’d need each other. It was never serious, though. Most certainly not as serious a prospect as the one Cade’s offering.

Loveandmy sister. Really? Did I deserve that?

How would it work with Luke? I don’t want to owe him forever. Would this be a chance for something better?

A chance at maybe forever?

I shake my head, trying to calm those thoughts.Forever?I’m really thinking about forever with Cade? He’s a committed guy. I see it in the way he plays hockey, in the way he keeps showing up for me even when I try to push him away, but forever? Would he want that?

I hope so because I think I do…

I’m going to do it.

Shit.

Did I just think that?

Yes.

I don’t just need to do this. Iwantto. Iwantto marry Cade.

I like him a lot, and even though we haven’t known each other long enough to call it love, there’s something there. All I have to do is think back to kissing him on the counter, and it’s undeniable at this point.

The chemistry has been there from the start. It’s been hiding beneath every conversation, every touch, and every single time he’s looked at me like I matter.

Like I’mhis.

Without waiting, I pull out my phone, my heart pounding in my chest as I start typing a message to Cade.

Savannah:Ye...

“Savannah.” The second Luke says my name, a chill slithers up my spine. Why does he have to ruin every single good moment for me?

I drop my phone into my bag, leaving the message unsent to Cade, and try to busy myself with something else. Only, my hands are too shaky to do anything. Then I force myself to turn and look into Luke’s beady little eyes. What more could he want? I’m already dancing every hour on the hour tonight as per his request.

Clearing my throat, I say, “Yes, Luke?”

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