That's how long that New York team's scout has been in Ben's room.

I couldn't leave and go home; not before I knew whatever offer it was he was making Ben. So I've been sitting out here in the hall, waiting for him to walk out.

SO I CAN FIND OUT!.

Another ten minutes later, the man walks out. Thank G.o.d.

I'm a little nervous going in, but I don't hesitate. "What was that all about?"

"You didn't go home?"

"How could I? That Major League scout comes in, says he wants to make you an offer, how could I leave? So, what kind of offer?"

"Oh my G.o.d, Rose, I had to force myself...to stay awake...but..."

His eyes keep closing.

"He wants..."

His eyes close again.

"Me..."

I touch my fingers to Ben's face, "Go to sleep, sweetheart."

"But I have to ask you what you think abo..."

"Ben, stop forcing yourself to stay awake. I'll wait."

"But..."

"I'll wait. Sleep." I lift his remote and lower his bed so it's more comfortable for him to sleep.

For the next two hours, I read If I Stay and try to concentrate on the story. But mostly, I'm wondering what the heck a Major League scout would offer an undergraduate with cancer and a missing leg.

Drawing me from my thoughts, I hear, "You stayed."

With no hesitation, I stand and toss my book onto the seat. "Hey, sleepyhead. I told ya I'd stay."

"Thanks," he says smiling. "Kiss?"

I bend down to kiss him. "I love you."

"Love you too, babe...let me just..." He presses the b.u.t.ton on his remote. "Adjust...there. Better."

"I lowered it before. Thought you'd be more comfortable."

Ben takes my hand and squeezes it, but he doesn't let go. "So," he starts, "what would you think if I quit college?"

"Quit? What? Why?"

"Well, the NCAA doesn't allow you to sign anything with a Major League team and play college ball. Plus, I'd be pretty busy playing for New York to attend cla.s.s."

"What? I don't understand."

"They want to sign me, Rose."

"But...even though...your leg...and...the cancer?"

"If I sign with them, they give me enough money to pay for all my treatments. Rehabilitation too. I'd be ready for next season."

"But...they don't care about your leg?"

"Yeah...they do. They want to hook me up with some company that makes bionic prostheses."

"What? Like the six million dollar man?"

Ben laughs at me.

"Stop."

"You're cute. But no, not bionic like that. It's still a prosthetic that I'd take on and off. He showed me videos. It's got sensors or something. But it's a pretty good deal, Rose."

"Wow. The major leagues. That's...wow. Oh my G.o.d."

"I'd have to quit college."

"Do you want to?"

"I think. I mean...my whole life, this was my goal. The psychologist thing was a back-up."

"And you can always go back," I add, "after...like when you're forty-six."

Ben chuckles. "Yup. If I'd want to play that long."

He pauses. Looks at me.

"Whaddya think, half-pint? Should I do it?"

"Ben. This is your decision. I can't..."

"Rose. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you. Any decisions I make have to include you, so I'm not gonna make them without your input."

Oh my G.o.d. Oh my G.o.d. "Really?"

"My goodness, Rose...you come first in my life. Everything else comes second."

"Thank you." Leaning in, I hug him, trying my best not to crush him because I'm so happy. "I love you."

"And I you, Rosie. So what do I do? I mean, it's New York, so I can stay in Jersey. Stay near you, but I will be traveling a lot. So there'd be times...that we wouldn't see each other."

"Ben. Do not worry about spending time apart from me. I'll be there when you get back."

"Really?"

"Really."

"So, I should accept the offer?"

"Would it make you happy to take it, Ben?"

"It would, Rose. Yeah. It would."

"Then do it, Ben. Do it. Accept the offer. And that bionic leg."

Both of us are smiling huge gigantic smiles. "Okay. Okay. I will."

44.

BEN.

A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT WORTH NINE POINT NINE MILLION DOLLARS.

Plus the purchase of my bionic leg.

That's the offer I just accepted.

Now I just have to withdraw from school.

45.

ROSE.

The fitness room door slams open, and through the reflection in the mirror, I see Lindsay ungracefully running in, holding a piece of paper.

Spinning around to look at her directly, I stop her by the shoulders before she slips on her high heels. "What the heck, Lindsay?"

She pauses to take a breath.

"Holy cow, what's going on?"

"Sorry. I ran all the way here from cla.s.s," she says, huffing. "Boy, it's not easy in these stiletto things. I thought dancing with you, I'd be in better shape."

"Lindsay. What? What's so important you had to run?"

"I didn't want to miss you. I know on Tuesdays you go right to Orange to see Ben after you're done here."

"Well, I do go home to shower after dancing for two hours, but what's your point?"

"Right." Her breathing seems back to normal. "Look," she says, handing me the paper in her hand.

"I take it from her and skim it. "A grant? A grant for what?" I look at her.

Her finger waves over the paper. "Keep reading. Come on."

Instead of skimming, I read the letter more carefully. When I'm finished, I look at her. "A grant for a dance team? What's this mean?"

"Rose, it means we got a grant to start a dance team at Hunter Hill. I didn't want to say anything until I knew for sure. I want you to run it!"

"Wait." I shake my head. "What?"

"I'll be the director, you know, oversee things, and I can be the coach," she says with air quotes, "so you can still be part of the team, but with my teaching schedule, and counseling, I don't have time to ch.o.r.eograph and teach new routines. And schedule rehearsals and eventually compet.i.tions. I want you to do that."

"Me? For Heaven's sake, why?"

"Because this university needs a dance team. Other colleges have one. Why can't we? And with all your experience, you're the perfect one to run this. Plus, didn't you say your goal was to one day teach dance? Well now...you can. You can be part of the team and teach it. Be the captain of it."

I can't keep from smiling, because...wow. But I still don't understand. "Lindsay, I got a b.u.m leg, I can't teach or be on a compet.i.tive team. That wouldn't be fair to the team."

"Rose, even with your prosthetic leg, you're better than most. You're a superstar. And my vision for this team-" she pauses briefly "-accept anyone. Even those with b.u.m legs or missing arms or wheelchairs. No discriminating based on physical limitations."

"Wow. Really?"

"Really. I've seen what you do out there on the floor. I know you can incorporate physically challenged dancers into your routines. You are amazing, Rose. And look how far you've come in just a few months. If you couldn't see it, no one would even know you were dancing with an artificial limb."

"Oh my G.o.d, Lindsay." I walk over to the bench, because I suddenly feel light-headed.

Lindsay follows me over and sits down. "So whattya say? Will you do this?"

"Oh my G.o.d. I want to."

"Then do it."