“Well, if you need to leave early, let me know.” I smiled and clenched my jaw to keep my teeth from chattering.

“You’ll rescue me. That’s sweet.” She smiled.

I felt heat rush over my skin. Either I was crushing hard and imagining it, or she was into me. “That’s what friends do.” It was a dumb thing to say but I was nervous.

“Sutton! Parker! Get in here,” Max yelled. He waved us over and ten of us crammed into a prom photo that I knew I would keep forever. Parker was pressed against me. Her body heat gave me chills. When the photographer snapped the photo, I felt like she was my date even though we were both whisked away in different directions as soon as the photo was done.

We danced for an hour or so before Shannon wanted to head to Sam’s. The limo stopped in front of a house that had at least a dozen cars in the driveway and on the street. Loud music was coming from the house. Our driver stopped and said he would park a block over.

Hayley dragged me into Sam’s saying that if I stood around waiting for the second limo to arrive, I would look desperate. I was the high school quarterback and the quarterback didn’t wait for anyone. She assured me Parker would find me and she wasn’t wrong. Five minutes after we went inside, Parker found us in the kitchen. She smiled at us and accepted a hard lemonade from Sam when she walked into the kitchen.

“Here’s where everyone ended up,” she said. She took a sip and grimaced but hid it well. I was studying her too hard to miss. She had freshened her makeup and let her hair down. I didn’t care that I was staring until I felt the sharp elbow jab from Hayley. She leaned over and scowled. I smiled and shrugged. She gave me an eye roll and a sigh. I shook my head.

“What’s going on over there?” Parker asked. She wasn’t clueless, but I don’t think she was ready for the truth either.

“Nothing.” I gave her what I thought was my sexiest grin, but it fell quickly when Andrew slid up behind Parker and put his arm around her shoulder. I swallowed hard and looked away.

“Looks like prom was a hit.” He made a production of looking Parker up and down appreciatively. She leaned away from him. I wanted to punch him.

“Gross. Don’t be creepy, Andrew,” Hayley said. It was obvious Parker was uncomfortable. “You should ask people before you paw them.” She pulled Parker away and tucked her safely between us. Parker’s arm brushed mine and chill bumps raced along my skin.

“Parker doesn’t mind. I always put my arm around her.” He took a long pull from his longneck. His eyes never left her.