Cassidy was ready for a day of surfing. It’d been a long time since she’d been to the beach and it would help clear her mind, something she truly needed at the moment. Opening her hotel room door, she was stunned to find Anthony sitting against it, half-way asleep. Her hand went covered her mouth. “Ohmygosh!”

Jerking awake, he was instantly on his feet. “Hey.” He wiped at his face and held out a sunflower.

Her mouth went dry for a second and her heart raced. “What are you doing here?”

A weird smile washed over his face and he lifted and lowered his shoulders. “You said you’d teach me to surf, I was hoping I could take you up on the offer.”

She didn’t know what to say. Instantly, emotion welled into her chest. She’d missed him so much. I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not cry. There had been too much crying in the past few days. Over Anthony. Then over Kyle. Purposefully keeping her voice calm she asked, “How did you know where I would be?”

He shrugged. “I called Elite Athletes and begged your boss for information.”

“Oh.” She didn’t know what to do or say. Of course they would give information to Anthony Kincaid. “What did you promise them?”

A wide grin washed over his face. “An exclusive from me.” He sighed. “I told your boss about my addiction and I told her I hid it from you. But, I want to come clean, I want to tell the truth. And … I want you to be the one to help me tell that story.” He shrugged. “On condition it’s after the championship game. After Kade gets all the glory he deserves this year.”

Her heart raced. Yes, her boss would give him anything he wanted if he was getting an exclusive with him. Especially something this juicy. She evaluated him, he looked ragged and a bit broken. “Why would you do that?”

The air cracked with electricity between them and she didn’t know how it was different with Anthony … but it had always been different with him. “Because I want to tell the truth … finally.”

Unable to believe he was here and unable to believe that he had actually committed to doing an article on something so private, she felt her lower lip tremble.

He coughed and looked past her. “Is … is Kyle here?”

Vulnerability. It was rare to see it on a Kincaid’s face, she would be lying if part of her didn’t find that ironic. She crossed her arms and tried to focus. “What if he is?”

Anthony ran a hand over his hair. “Then I’ll leave with you this.” He held it out the sunflower to her. “And I’ll tell you one more time…” he broke off and choked up. “How much I love you and I need you and I’m here … fighting for you. And I don’t care what anybody thinks of me. I never should have.” Determination lit into his eyes and she couldn’t stop but think he had the same look on his face he’d had the other day when he’d played San Diego. Right before he’d gone in and stormed the field in fury. “I care about you. About us.”

Impossibly, her eyes swelled with tears.

Sensing her fragility, his gaze softened. “And I know I don’t deserve you.”

Hardening her gaze, she tried to glare at him. “You lied to me and you didn’t trust me.”

Remorse washed over his face. “I know.”

She pointed at him. “I won’t be someone you don’t tell everything to. I…”

He was already taking her by the waist and pulling her into him. At first she tried to fight him, but then she surrendered, it was pointless, she loved him. Wanted him. Closing her eyes, she let him pull her to his chest.

“I messed up, but I’m here and I…” he pulled back. “And I want you to know that I can’t change what I did … and I will tell you everything from now on. And, I will trust you. Gently, he moved a piece of hair out of her face and peered into her eyes. “Plus, someone said recently that as far as Anthony Kincaid was concerned…she believed good was coming.”

She blinked. “I do believe that.”

“And you’re good.” He grinned. “Plus, I really do want you to give me a surf lesson.” The side of his lip tugged up.

Unable to stop herself, she let out a laugh, thinking she could teach him to do anything. This glorious, completely coordinated male, who would probably rent a surfboard and be surging within the hour. “Whatever.” She looked around. “I never told you if Kyle was here or not.”

He took her hand into his. “Poe, don’t you know I can read you like a book.” He grinned. “Always could.” He pulled her into him, again.

She pulled in a ragged breath and she let him hold her again.

For a few moments they just stood there.

He asked. “Why didn’t you … why isn’t Kyle here?”

A nervous flutter went through her and she leaned back, studying his face. “Because I can write again.”

He looked confused.

Now it was her turn to feel vulnerable. “As you know, I’ve been stuck. After you came into my life again, I felt free again.” A sad smiled washed over her face. “I even think I’ll be able to finish this book and get it submitted to publishers soon.”

Elation filled his face. “Of course you will.”

That’s what she realized she loved about him. His belief in her. His concern for her. His … everything that he’d always been for her.

She blinked. “Even though I was so hurt, the truth is that I love you. I always have and…I couldn’t do that to Kyle. All that’s between you and me…it’s messy but…”

He squeezed her hand and finished her thought. “It’s real.”

She blinked. “Yeah.”

Getting onto one knee, he pulled a ring out of his pocket.

She couldn’t believe he was doing this. “I know I don’t deserve it, but Cassidy Gertrude Stone, give me another second, second chance. Marry me?”

Even though it wasn’t perfect and she didn’t know what the future held, she did know she wanted this man in her life. “Yes!” She threw her arms around him and let out a laugh.

Standing, he pulled back, slipping the ring on her finger and then bear hug lifting her up and swinging her around.

They laughed together.

He put her down and his lips were on hers, kissing her with an intensity that she’d only ever felt with him.

She kissed him back, loving the fact he wanted a second chance at a second chance…and loving the fact he was her second chance too.

He put her down and searched her face. “You’re so beautiful, Poe.”

She grinned and pointed at him. “Hey, just because I said yes doesn’t mean you should get a big head, Boss.”

He laughed. “That’s exactly what it means.” Then his eyes grew serious. “Also, I’m hoping it means that this is the last chance that we’ll ever need.”

Closing her eyes she kissed him again and knew … she would hold him for the rest of her life.