Violet stumbled through the nurse's initial examination in a daze. Name, age, height, weight, blood pressure—none of it registered. She was still reeling from the bombshell: Noah was in love with her. Noah, her best friend, practically a brother. How could this be?

He claimed to have loved her for most of his life. She couldn't comprehend it. When? When had it begun? It made no sense!

People had teased them for years, but only because Noah, as a toddler, would throw tantrums if he didn't see Violet. She'd overheard her mom and Jennica laughing about it when she and Noah were teenagers—he'd treated her like his favorite toy back then. A three-year-old couldn't understand romantic love; it definitely hadn't started that early. Violet frantically searched her memory for any clue, any indication of what he'd said.

"Miss Hale? Can you tell me about your injury?" the doctor repeated, his expression suggesting this wasn't his first attempt. Violet hadn't even noticed him replace the nurse. She needed to focus.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly. "I'm a ballerina. I was performing in The Nutcracker tonight and landed a jump badly. I felt a horrible pop in my knee, and then I could barely move it. I had to finish the show, and then I passed out from the pain."

The doctor likely judged her for dancing on an injured leg. She cringed, fearing she'd worsened the injury. She'd worried about that earlier in the waiting room, but Noah's revelation had completely overshadowed it.

The doctor examined her knees, moving and pressing them. The pain was excruciating. Her right knee was immobile without causing agony.

After a few more questions, he sent a nurse to wheel her to x-ray. The technician painfully manipulated her knee at various angles for the images. The pain was the only thing preventing her thoughts from returning to Noah.

By one in the morning, exhausted after the x-rays, she learned she hadn't broken anything but needed an MRI. They recommended a clinic appointment the following week.

Panic seized her. No! She couldn't wait that long. This needed immediate attention!

"Please, do it here," she pleaded. "I know you have MRI machines. I need to know if I need surgery so I can start physical therapy immediately. Dancing is my life."

"That's against protocol, miss," the nurse said sympathetically. "Our healthcare system involves a lot of waiting, I'm afraid."

Violet hated playing the "rich and famous parents" card, but desperation forced her hand. Her mother had connections with this hospital.

"My mom!" she blurted. "My mom is Dr. Keeley Hale. She's provided substantial funding to this hospital for gene therapy treatments for cystic fibrosis patients. Please, just this once."

The nurse's eyes widened. Everyone here knew about Dr. Hale's contributions and her use of this hospital for testing her FDA-approved treatment.

"…I'll speak with my supervisor. One moment."

Relief washed over Violet. Her mother was a VIP here; surely they could expedite an MRI.

Five minutes later, the nurse returned, profusely apologizing. The MRI department wouldn't reopen until 7 AM, but they'd prepared a VIP room for her rest.

The power of a name was astonishing. Her room was a suite that resembled a hotel room, aside from the hospital bed and equipment. The nurse fussed over her, helping her change into a gown.

Violet removed her bobby pins, sighed, and leaned against the pillow. Her knee was elevated with ice, and she received pain medication.

Once alone, she searched her bag for her phone (ballerina costumes lack pockets). Numerous messages awaited from Kaleb and Nathan, and one from Jeremy asking why she'd called. Noah had apparently told her brothers. Kaleb's message instructed her to call back immediately, so she did, eager to avoid his wrath.

"Vi! Noah said you're hurt; what happened?" he asked anxiously, skipping the pleasantries.

"I injured my knee landing a jump. They're keeping me overnight for more scans to see if I need surgery," Violet said, hesitating before asking, "When did Noah call you?"

"He called about four times before I answered—I was in a nightclub, and they're not exactly quiet. I told him I'd pick you up so he could go home."

Her heart ached. Noah had waited for her, even after her stunned reaction to his confession. She hadn't expected him to stay.

It was good Kaleb sent him home; she didn't want him staying up late before his classes. Besides, she had no idea what to say to him. How do you respond to your best friend confessing his love? 'Thanks'? 'Are you crazy?' 'Why me?'

Noah knew her intimately—her deepest insecurities, her weaknesses. Who would love that?

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