{"id":255737,"date":"2026-07-13T04:39:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T01:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1kitap1.com\/en\/checked-elise-faber\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T04:39:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T01:39:15","slug":"checked-elise-faber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1kitap1.com\/en\/checked-elise-faber\/","title":{"rendered":"Checked – Elise Faber"},"content":{"rendered":"
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She hadn\u2019t been avoiding them, per se, so much as being so into whatever thoughts were going through her head that her gaze hadn\u2019t much drifted up past her menu or plate or hands. When he\u2019d ordered for her, she\u2019d given him a brief smile, though those eyes were still distant, and the same went for when their server had brought their food and drinks.<\/p>\n

Aware of the outside world and yet not really. But he didn\u2019t mind the quiet. He\u2019d come to appreciate the fact that Rebecca didn\u2019t need to fill the silence with conversation. \u201cGabe,\u201d she murmured, then immediately bit her lip, worry creeping into the edges of her expression. \u201cI know four months was a long time.\u201d He reached across the table to take her hands in his.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve spent a lot of time getting to know each other,\u201d he murmured. \u201cWe were both careful, and that was a good thing.\u201d Head tilting to the side, she asked, \u201cCareful how?\u201d \u201cCareful to keep things light between us. To get to know each other slowly and easily without bringing up a lot of the stuff that\u201d\u2014a squeeze \u2014\u201cwould have complicated the process.\u201d<\/p>\n

She frowned and so he hurried on. \u201cI\u2019ve spent more time with you than most women in my life, and yet I don\u2019t know much about your upbringing or family. I know your preferred type of tea, the brand of chocolate you indulge in. I know that you dislike orange juice with pulp even though it\u2019s better for you, and I know your favorite pair of jeans is embroidered with tiny blue flowers.\u201d His heart was pounding, but he kept talking.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know so much about you, and yet I don\u2019t know the why.\u201d She turned her hands over in his, lacing their fingers together. That worry no longer just on the edges of her face. \u201cIt\u2019s all been superficial.\u201d Gabe winced. \u201cNo. I didn\u2019t mean\u2014\u201d A shake of her head. \u201cSorry, poor word choice. I understand it\u2019s important you know the small things, and I agree that I know the same about you.<\/p>\n

I guess . . . I mean, we both shared the stuff we were willing, but a lot of our walls are still there.\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d He couldn\u2019t argue with that. She sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t know if I can do this, Gabe.\u201d His heart sank and he started to lean back, fingers separating. \u201cNo,\u201d she said, tilting forward, keeping their hands together. \u201cI don\u2019t mean it like that. You\u2019re wonderful. I just\u2014\u201d Her gaze dropped to the table. \u201cI never thought I would be able to be in a relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? How?\u201d He released one hand, cupped her cheek. \u201cYou\u2019re beautiful and smart and\u2014\u201d \u201cHave crippling anxiety,\u201d she murmured. \u201cDon\u2019t forget that fact. I should think it\u2019s one you\u2019re well-familiar with by now.\u201d \u201cTherapy helped. I\u2019ve gotten a lot better,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.<\/p>\n

CHECKED Copyright \u00a9 2020 Elise Faber Print ISBN-13: 978-1-946140-36-4 Ebook ISBN-13: 978-1-946140-50-0 Cover Art by Jena Brignola 1kitap1.com\/en GOLD HOCKEY SERIES Blocked Backhand Boarding Benched Breakaway Breakout Checked Coasting 1kitap1.com\/en CONTENTS Gold Hockey Series Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Epilogue Epilogue Coasting Gold Hockey Series Gold Hockey Also by Elise Faber About the Author 1kitap1.com\/en PROLOGUE 1kitap1.com\/en Nutritionist Rebecca SHE\u2019D BEEN TRYING to slip by the happy couple without ruining the romantic moment Kevin had planned for Bex.<\/p>\n

But they were right by the front door, and they\u2019d see her if she moved forward. And the guys were behind her, along with the girls. All of whom were perfectly lovely people. But she\u2019d reached her limit on socializing for the day. Thus her pinned-in position in the hall. She was desperate to be out of here, more than desperate to get back to her empty and quiet house, slip into her pajamas, and watch Hallmark movies through the night.<\/p>\n

God, life was so much simpler in Hallmark movies. Kevin jumped up and kissed Bex and when it seemed as though they were fully distracted, Rebecca made her move, slipping past them on quiet feet and opening the front door. She\u2019d just begun to close it quietly when a hand shot through the opening and prevented the door from shutting.<\/p>\n

Rebecca didn\u2019t scream because Kev and Bex were still only feet away, but she also didn\u2019t scream because her body already knew who it was. Her traitorous body, that was. Gabe pushed through the opening and quietly closed the door behind him. \u201cYou\u2019re leaving,\u201d he said. Nope. Not doing this.<\/p>\n

Ignoring him, Rebecca turned and started for her car. She\u2019d purposely parked it where she wouldn\u2019t be blocked in. Girl scout, she was. Always planning ahead. Always running. \u201cRebecca.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.<\/em><\/p>\n

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