Her words of crazy finally provided something I could respond to with clear thought. “Mother, he is under no obligation to take care of me nor would I ever ask him to. And, honestly, this is none of your business.”

“It is my business. Do you know how embarrassing this has been for me? Do you know how hard this has been on your family? If he marries you—no, when—when he marries you, it will change everything.”

Sean made a face, which I was certain I mirrored, something along the lines of, Can you believe this bitch?

“Mother, I have to go. Let me repeat, this is none of your business. Leave it alone.”

“Wait. Wait. Don’t hang up. Listen, I—uh—I need you to come to brunch on Sunday.”

Both Sean and I narrowed our eyes in unison. “I don’t think I can make it.”

“It’s very important that you come. I have papers for you to sign, regarding your trust.”

I almost snorted. Almost.

“Mother, if I’m not mistaken, you disowned me four years ago and changed your will.”

“I might have been hasty,” she said, which was the closest thing to an apology I would likely ever receive. “I’ve already met with the solicitors and it’s done. I just need you to come by on Sunday to sign the papers.”

“Mother . . .” I closed my eyes, rubbing my temples.

“I know that cousin of yours watches the child on Sunday afternoons, so I know you have the time. Please, come to brunch. Stay ten minutes to sign the papers, then you can leave.”

For cripes’ sake, the woman couldn’t even say Sean’s name, and he was her nephew!

“I don’t think—”

“And I have grandmother’s ring for you, the emerald, from Egypt.”

I paused, holding my breath. Sean and I traded stunned stares. He quickly muted the line and loud-whispered, “Grandmother Lillian’s ring? You have to go. Go get that ring. Go.”

I’d never met Lillian Cassidy, as my father’s grandmother had passed before I was born, but my father used to show me the ring and tell me it was to be mine. This was before he abandoned our family years ago. He always said I reminded him of his Grandmother Lily.

After he left—and it was clear he wouldn’t be returning—I never thought about it, though I’d seen my mother wear it on occasion.

“Are you there?”

Sean unmuted the phone, wiggling it, and mouthed, “Go to the brunch.”

“Fine,” I said through gritted teeth. “Fine. I’ll go. I’ll see you Sunday.” I made a mental note to call Josey and cancel or postpone our weekly coffee plans.

“Wonderful. See you then. Don’t be late. Ta.” And with that, she hung up.

I released a tired breath as Sean set my cell on the counter.

“That woman.” My cousin placed his hands on his hips. “She is a harbinger of ulcers and alcoholism.”

I huffed a sad laugh and shook my head just as a knock sounded on the front door. Sean turned his head toward the sound.

“Can you get that for me? I’m sorry, I still need to finish here.”

“Not a problem, darling. Take your time.” Giving me one more sympathetic look, he turned and left the bathroom.

I hunted for my lipstick, trying not to think too much about the call. I didn’t want to get my hopes up about the ring, and how did she find out about Bryan?

As I applied color to my lips, I listened to the faint sounds of Sean opening the door and greeting William. Their low, rumbly voices carried to me. I quickly dusted setting powder over my makeup and gave my wrists a spritz of perfume.

Pushing away thoughts of my mother, I didn’t take a second to study my reflection. Instead, I hurried to Patrick’s room and gave my son a tight hug and a kiss.

“Will you be all right with Monkey Sean?”

He nodded, twisting his arms around my neck. “We’re going to eat steak and then he’s going to show me how to make a full wizard knot.”

“A full wizard?”

“Yes. With my necktie.”

A full wizard . . . A full Windsor.

My cousin was ridiculous and I loved him so very, very much.

“Ah. Okay. Be good.”

I left Patrick coloring in his room and darted to the living room, but then I stopped short.

Because William and Sean weren’t alone.

“Bryan,” I said on a gasp, drawing three sets of eyes to me. “What are you doing here?”

He didn’t answer right away. His eyes were wide and surprised as he took in my appearance, trailing over my high heels, bare legs, and form-fitting silk dress. Self-consciously, I glanced at myself again, tugging on the hem.

Bryan’s voice was distracted; as though he were talking to himself, he began, “Holy sh—”

“You look great.” William stepped in front of his teammate and gave me a warm, if sedate, smile.

I frowned at William, then at Bryan—or what I could see of him behind William—then at Sean, who was inspecting my ceiling.

My frown deepened. “What’s going on?”

“Oh,” Sean chirped, imbuing his tone with forced lightness, “I just thought since you were going out, Patrick, Bryan, and I could have a men’s night in. You know, go through the latest Dolce & Gabbana catalogue, play a friendly game of Mario Kart, teach Patrick how to hook in a scrum. The usual.”

Glaring at my cousin and his fake expression of innocence, I released a pained sigh. “Sean, you should have discussed this with me first.”