He’d remained silent the rest of that awful day. They’d let him sit at his mom’s bedside for a long time. He’d stared at her because he’d been too scared to hold a dead person’s hand.

Sebastian forced his thoughts back to the present. In the break room, he downed trail mix and poured himself a mug of coffee. Then he took the mug with him up to the second highest floor of the building.

Occasionally, he needed fresh air to clear his head. It didn’t matter the season. The steamy heat of summer, the freezing wind of winter. He’d investigated every hospital he’d worked at until he’d found at least one space that could offer him quiet and privacy outdoors.

He passed through a rarely used conference room and exited onto a balcony. At the rail, he breathed the damp afternoon air. The coffee was bitter, but it also provided a needed shock to his senses. He took regular sips until he’d drunk half of it.

Checking his phone, he saw that he’d missed a call from Leah. The realization affected him like sunlight. It shoved aside the gray clouds.

He placed a call to her, anticipating the sound of her voice.

“I received a necklace from you today,” she said as soon as she picked up. “Did you hand deliver it?”

“I did, this morning. Before I got called back to the hospital.”

“The necklace is exquisite. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“However, it’s not my birthday.”

“I hope not. I plan to do much better on your birthday.”

“Sebastian!” she said, half laughing, half chiding. “I cannot possibly accept lavish presents given to me for no reason.”

“That wasn’t a lavish present.”

“I have a sneaking suspicion that it was.”

“And it was given for a reason.”

“Which is?”

“I like you.”

“That’s not a valid reason.”

“That’s the most valid reason there is.”

“This is too kind. . . .”

“Is there such a thing as too kind?”

“Too generous—”

“Is there such a thing as too generous?”

“I value my independence. If I need a necklace, I will buy a necklace.”

His smile grew. “You’re one of those people, I can tell. The sort who don’t know how to accept a gift. I think you need more practice.”

“And I think you need to return the necklace and invest the money.”

“I view the necklace as an investment. Besides, I’m no fool. I bought you a custom-made necklace that can’t be returned.”

“In an effort to make me feel even more indebted to you so that I say yes to a date?”

“Exactly. But also to make you happy.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re difficult?”

“Everyone I’ve ever known. But you’re a math prodigy because you’ve figured out how to solve difficult problems. Right?”