Page 47

By the time I finish arranging Adley’s room, my entire body aches. My arms burn from scrubbing every surface, my knees throb from kneeling on the hardwood floors, and my head pounds from overanalyzing every last detail. But when I finally step back and take it all in, I exhale.

The fresh, soft lavender sheets. The twinkle lights draped around the window. The books stacked neatly on the nightstand. The framed photos of us tucked onto the shelves.

It looks perfect.

It’s not just clean or put together, but it’s warm, inviting, and a space where Adley can finally feel safe.

I drag a hand through my hair, my chest heavy with everything this day means.

I’ve been working non-stop since I got home from class, moving all my things into Cade’s room, while making sure Adley’s space feels like her.

I don’t want her to think she’s an afterthought.

I want her to know that this place, this apartment, this life is just as much hers as it is mine.

The sound of Stanley’s paws clicking against the floor breaks me from my thoughts. He ambles into the room, sniffing around like he’s checking my work, as if he somehow knows today is important.

And it is.

Because today, we’re meeting with Fern.

It doesn’t matter how much work I’ve done, how perfectly I’ve arranged the blankets or how many soft touches I’ve added to make this place feel like home.

None of that matters if Fern doesn’t believe I can give Adley what she needs.

She won’t recommend me to Adley’s case workers, and then that’s it. I’ll never get her back.

My stomach churns as I frantically look around the room, searching for things I might be missing.

What if it’s not enough?

What if she looks around this room, around this apartment, at me, and decides I’m still not fit to be her guardian?

What if she takes the dream away from me?

I swallow hard, pushing down the rising panic, forcing myself to take slow, even breaths.

Everything will be fine.

The owner of the diner already said he’d take me back in a heartbeat. I have a stable home. I’m in school, building something for myself. For us.

And now, with Cade…

I glance toward his bedroom, the one I’ve been making ours, and something warm spreads through my chest.

I’m not doing this alone anymore.

The realization sends a different kind of ache through me. Not panic, not fear, but something quieter, something softer. For years, it’s always been me fighting for Adley and making sacrifices to bring her here.

But now… Now Cade is beside me and choosing this with me.

The ring on my finger is cool against my skin as I glance down at it, twisting it slightly. Simple. Understated. Perfect. It’s like he somehow knew exactly what I would’ve picked for myself, even when I didn’t even imagine I’d be lucky enough to wear a ring like this.

A lump forms in my throat, the emotions threatening to suffocate me. I don’t know how to let myself need someone. I’ve never had that luxury before, but Cade is here. Steady. Patient. Willing, and I think, I hope , he’s not going anywhere.

A knock at the door makes me flinch and my heart lurches into my throat as I glance at the time on the wall clock.

She’s here.

Stanley barks once, then wags his tail, his usual excitement dimmed like he can sense that this isn’t just a normal visitor. With one last look at Adley’s room, I force myself to square my shoulders and take a deep breath.

This is it.

I have to be enough because I can’t lose her.

Cade steps out of our bedroom, adjusting the cuff of his shirt, and I almost forget how to stand.

I’ve seen him in every state: sweaty and shirtless after practice, slouched in sweatshirts and joggers, half-asleep in nothing but boxers, but this?

This is unfair.

In a button-down shirt and dark jeans, he looks delicious.

He furrows his brows slightly as he focuses on his cuff, lips pursed in concentration. When he glances up and his eyes lock onto mine, the confusion flickers into amusement, his smirk only growing when he realizes I’m staring.

“Like what you see, Pretty Girl?”

I swallow hard, forcing my feet to stay planted on the ground. “I—uh—no?”

He chuckles before crossing the room with slow, deliberate steps, closing the distance between us until he’s right in front of me, and then places his hands on my waist. My palms press against his shirt, and his grip tightens, pulling me closer.

“You sure about that?” His voice is rough, his lips barely skimming along my jaw.

My fingers curl around the fabric of his shirt as my breath catches in my throat. “You’re—”

His mouth captures mine before I can finish the sentence.

The kiss is slow at first, teasing, like he’s savoring the moment, but then suddenly, Cade backs me up against the counter, one arm wrapping around my lower back while his other hand tangles in my hair and he starts to kiss me like he didn’t hear the knock on the door.

I whimper as his teeth scrape against my bottom lip, making him groan against my mouth, shifting his grip like he’s ready to lift me onto the counter, but before he can, there’s another sharp knock at the door.

I jump back, my chest heaving, my lips definitely kissed, and Cade groans, resting his forehead against my shoulder. Laughing breathlessly, I press a quick kiss to his jaw before pushing him away.

“I’ll get it,” I say, hoping the delirious look on Cade’s face will fade by the time our guests walk through the door. Heading down the hallway, I smooth my hair down and take a deep breath before opening the door.

This is it.

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 we used 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 of everything—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.