The woman was going to drive him insane, he was sure of it. She had no sense of self-worth. None. Suddenly, everything about her made sense.

"Desmond will show you a better way to spend your time." "Not my crowd." "Too rich for my blood." Hester was a diamond who'd somehow deluded herself into thinking she was nothing but a piece of worthless glass.

Ed found a coffee machine, and grimaced at the first sip. Disgusting, but it'd do. He hadn't slept a wink all night, and he couldn't rest until she'd woken up. Fuck. He was so glad he hadn't taken that plane.

Heading back to the room, he found it empty of nurse and doctor.

"What's the verdict?"

"I'm okay. As there's no one at home, they think I should stay here another day and night, to make sure the concussion doesn't get worse." She sighed. "I guess that's the problem with not having a roommate anymore."

There was a little color to her cheeks now; she'd been so pale in her sleep.

"You used to have a roommate?"

"Yes, until last year. Then, Ryn moved in with Desmond and he gave me her apartment. It's in the exec building, not far from work. The commute is a lot easier. I don't love it, but you know, it's free."

Ed laughed. "A pretty good bonus in the city."

She smiled. "I'm saving up to buy my own place outright."

"In Brooklyn?" he guessed.

"Probably. My heart panics at the thought of paying Manhattan rates."

Hard-working, smart, reasonable.

"I just found my phone, by the way. Your last text said you were leaving for Italy?"

He shrugged. "I was."

"Did the flight get cancelled?"

He shook his head. "Guess again."

"Business deal you couldn't resist opening up in the city?"

That one made him laugh. "Not quite. But a certain woman didn't answer any of my calls or texts, and leaving without a goodbye didn't feel right."

Her eyes widened. "You're kidding."

Edmund tilted his head. "You know, I was trying to understand why it's so surprising to you when you hear that people care, then I remembered. Is it because of your parents?"

She stilled. "What?"

"You can't believe your boss, who obviously respects the hell out of you, isn't going to punish you for an accident that's entirely not your fault. You can't believe his brother's wife is bringing you clothes. You can't believe I stayed when I got worried about you."

Hester said, "Because Desmond is a very successful, extremely strict, domineering guy and I've seen him sack people for one mishap."

"People who have worked their asses off for years? I doubt that."

"And because I don't know Lexi well."

"You're in the hospital, in a horrible green gown, and your clothes were ruined by a bike messenger. She doesn't need to know you to want to bring you clothes. That's basic human decency."

"And you are just…we don't know each other that well."

"Yes, but we're getting to know each other. So far, I like everything I hear, everything I see, except that ridiculous lack of confidence. You're it, Hester. You're stunning, intelligent, warm, sexy, incredibly naughty. Any man would be a fool to let that slip by. In fact, I'm questioning the sanity of any single guy who's ever crossed your path, because I don't get why you're still single."

"Why are you?" she challenged. "Hot, successful, funny, smart, rich…"

He shrugged. "Because no one made me care."

Until her, anyway.

He didn't say that. He didn't have to.

"I'm staying in the city," Edmund stated. "I mean, I'll have to travel, but I'll be based here for now, unless you don't want me to. I'd like to get to really know you."

She opened her mouth, and then closed it, before opening it again. 

"How hard did my head hit the ground?" 

He laughed. "I realize that's not a no, but I'm going to need an actual yes on this. Do you want me to stay?" 

Hester's eyes darted up to his, and she watched him for a long time. Finally, she said, "I'd like that."

Good, because he sure as hell didn’t intend to let her slip through his fingers. He’d been so fucking worried when he heard that she’d been in an accident; not just concerned, but downright panicking about losing her so soon. That and Malcolm’s death reminded him that life wasn’t granted. It might end at any moment, and he didn’t want his to amount to nothing more than a list of deals that made him wealthier.

He wasn’t letting go of the one woman who’d made him feel.

Not now, not tomorrow; maybe not even the day after that.