Violet first dropped her dad off at home; their building was near the hospital. She urged him to rest for the day, and he agreed before exiting the car with his briefcase.

Jeremy then moved to the front seat, surprising her. He explained that it would be odd for her to chauffeur him, given they were alone. She couldn't argue with that.

"Where do you need to go?" she asked formally.

Despite knowing a lot about him over the years, Violet barely knew the man and felt awkward. This happened whenever she met someone new.

"Back to the office," he replied.

Back to the office after a near-car accident? He was even more of a workaholic than her mother! Though, she supposed she was the same. She poured her life into dancing.

Ironically, most people in her life shared this trait. Shouldn't jobs simply bejobs? But the Hales, and Noah and his mother, all loved their careers.

However, Uncle Cameron and Logan were more typical. Noah's brother, a history major at NYU, didn't seem to enjoy it; he chose it because he had to, and it seemed easier than math—or so he claimed.

Not everyone is ambitious or passionate about their work. Some pour passion into hobbies; others have no passion at all. Violet couldn't imagine that life.

"Are you going back to work after this?" Jeremy asked.

"Yes. Our new show opens in two weeks, and we need to be ready. I'll probably be scolded for leaving, even though I was gone less than two hours," she said ruefully.

She already dreaded it. The director was extremely strict.

She was usually in his favor, but he hated missed practices, even for emergencies. Her preference wouldn't excuse her absence.

"I'm sorry. I know you came for your dad, but I feel responsible, as you would have returned sooner without dropping me off. Let me make it up to you," Jeremy insisted.

Make it up to her? That sounded like a date invitation. Violet had heard that line before.

As Noah said recently, it had been a while since she'd dated. She had nothing to lose by accepting. This might help her form an impression of her father's assistant.

"What do you have in mind?" she asked.

"Dinner, maybe? I know nothing about ballerinas' diets," Jeremy admitted.

Violet almost laughed. Nobody did unless they lived with one. Her parents and brothers accepted her strict diet, imposed by the ballet company's dietician. Noah did too, seeing her often.

She ate small, simple meals or healthy snacks. Meat was rare, and always white meat (chicken or fish).

"You can buy me a smoothie after work," she offered. "There's a great place with healthy, low-sugar options."

"Excellent," Jeremy replied, smiling. "I look forward to getting to know you better."

Her heart fluttered. It had been a long time since a man said that. She had been single too long.

At Hale Investments, he cheerfully waved goodbye after they exchanged numbers and he thanked her for the ride. She headed back to the studio, dazed.

As predicted, the director was unhappy. Violet explained her father's accident and need for a ride. He couldn't entirely fault her, but she promised to make up the missed practice hours the next day.

Luckily, he didn't make her stay late; otherwise, she'd miss her date with Jeremy. He might be decent company, once she got to know him better.

After rehearsal, Violet changed into dark wash skinny jeans, a white tank top, and a long, buttonless tan cardigan. She left her messy bun alone, her makeup intact.

They texted earlier to confirm the time. She was about to leave when she got a message from Noah:

'Want dinner at my place? Mom's making grilled chicken.'

Aunt Jen's grilled chicken was delicious, but Violet regretfully declined: 'Sorry, I have dinner plans. That sounds delicious though. Rain check?'

His reply was immediate: 'With who?'

'My dad's assistant. They had a car accident, and he felt bad I missed work to pick them up. He wants to make it up to me.'

'Good luck making conversation. My dad says he's a programmed business bot,' Noah replied with a laughing emoji.

At least he wasn't upset. That sounded like something Uncle Cameron would say; he worked closely with her dad and probably knew Jeremy well.

Violet only knew he was devoted to his job and good at it. But people are more than their careers. Even workaholics have different sides. Her dad was the prime example.

'Guess I'll see. Either way, it's free food,' she texted back.

'And you never turn down free food. We'll get together tomorrow,' Noah replied.

Violet frowned. Tomorrow wouldn't work; she had two hours of rehearsal to make up. She told him, and he said he'd bring her dinner.

Ah, Noah was a good friend.

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