Anthony had to face it: timing had never been a thing he’d felt he had down in regards to women. He stared at his outfit in the mirror. Black pants, a white shirt, and a black jacket—nice gear for the restaurant. Nervous energy wove through him, and he thought about how Cassidy had looked at his father’s party and how she looked in his arms kissing him all over the media since the San Diego game. He loved it. This woman was intoxicating to him, so much more than any woman he’d ever dated.

Checking his phone, he noted he had half an hour before he even needed to leave for the restaurant. He’d spent the last couple of hours putting everything together for this date and he hoped she wouldn’t be disappointed by the outcome.

He gingerly picked up the ring in the box that lay open. His mother’s ring, a garnet with a huge diamond. It was the first ring his father had given her. Before she’d passed, she’d given it to Anthony, for his bride.

Closing his eyes, he remembered his mother whispering in his ear: “I hope it’s Cassidy.” He blinked away a tear. Man, he still missed his mother. She’d been everything a good mother should be—fun, overprotective, always ready with a kind word for strangers. She made them toe the line with school and chores, but she’d softened his father for them.

He thought of Cass and how much they had loved each other. Shame nagged him as he thought of how he’d refused to even talk to Cassidy back then, but now hope bolstered his spirits. “Good is coming, Kincaid,” he said to himself in the mirror, like a coach would say to a player. With certainty, finality, like there would be no turning back. “Man up!”

Even so, he felt a bit uneasy thinking of the secret she didn’t know about him.

“Hey!” He heard his big bro down the stairs, yelling up at him.

He wasn’t due to have a visit with Kade. “What?” he called, putting the ring in his pocket and rushing down the stairs.

Kade stood there looking casual in gym shorts and a T-shirt. He let out a whistle. “Where is little bro going tonight?” He circled, chugging back some water.

Anthony pushed his brother in the shoulder. “Shut it.”

“And he’s a bit defensive. Could it be the lovely Ms. Stone?” Kade flashed a grin.

Anthony walked into the kitchen, pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge, and gulped it down. “Yes.”

Kade followed him. “I’m happy for you, bro. You seem better with her back. And since you pretty much stomped San Diego!” They both jumped into the air, chest-bumping and letting out manly whoops of laughter. Anthony loved the rush of being on the same team with Kade.

“How is Felicity doing today?” Anthony asked, knowing the baby would come soon.

Kade lifted a hand and waved it through the air. “Her feet are up, her father is there, arguing with her over some social issue. They are a thinking people and I love that about them … but man, they like to argue.”

Anthony laughed. “At least she’s happy and entertained.”

Kade nodded. “I was just going to head to Scar’s gym and get some sparring in with the guys. Wanted to see if you wanted to come, but you can’t come.”

“Nah, got plans.”

“As I see.” He grinned again.

“Would you stop with the happy looks?” Anthony hoped his annoyance concealed his nervousness. He wanted to tell Kade what he had planned, but wanted to wait until he knew what she would say.

Kade pumped his eyebrows. “Man, you’re gonna do it, aren’t you?”

He slammed his fist down on the countertop. “How in the world do you know that?”

Kade laughed. “I wasn’t entirely sure until now.”

Anthony ran his hand through his hair nervously. “I think so. I know it is fast, but it—”

“It’s right.” Kade grinned at him, and then he swallowed. “I’m happy for you.” He hugged his brother. It took him by surprise, but face it: everything in the past year had been so much different with Kade.

He gave in to the hug. “Thanks.”

Kade pulled back. “Do it. It’ll be great.”

So with the blessing of his big brother, he left to the restaurant and to the future he hoped he would have with Cassidy Stone.