Indecision crosses her face, but she nods. “Sounds good. I’ll just finish this.”

She gulps down the rest of her drink, leaving the glass on an empty table. “Come on.”

Taking my hand in hers, she pulls me onto the dance floor.

As we make our way there, Katy Perry’s “Firework” begins to play.

I roll my eyes.

Dee laughs. “Come on. This is a fun song.”

“It wasn’t quite what I had in mind,” I yell.

We both rock to the music, not touching each other even though I long to feel her in my arms.

“I think I should warn you that I can’t dance at all.”

She laughs. “I noticed. But I can’t dance either, so you’re in good company.”

“No way. You’re amazing.”

She grabs my hand. “Thanks. You’re a good liar.”

“I’m not lying.” I tug her the rest of the way to me. She hooks her arms around my neck as I slide mine around her waist. “That’s better.”

“You’re so much trouble, aren’t you?”

“Not at all.”

The moment catches us both by surprise. I can see it in her eyes. And without thinking, I lean in and kiss her.

She doesn’t freak out.

She kisses me back.

It’s not long and passionate like I want it to be, but when we do pull apart, she’s got the same goofy look on her face as I’m sure I do.

“Come home with me.”

She shakes her head. “I can’t. I shouldn’t have even let you kiss me.”

Her words are like a knife to the heart.

Dee places her palm on my chest. “It’s not that I don’t want to, Josh. It’s just that starting something now would be unfair to both of us. I go home soon.”

I capture her hand in mine. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you.” She echoes my words with a sad smile. I’m not alone in the way I feel; I’m sure of it. Her kiss ridded me of any doubts I had about that.

“We could find a way. I want to try.”

For a moment, her eyes search mine. She likes me. I know she does.

“Can you make a promise not to fall in love with me?” she asks.

I hold my hand up, fingers crossed. “Of course I will.”

“It doesn’t count when you do that.” She squeezes my hand. “I just don’t want either of us to end up with a broken heart.”

“We’ll spend the next few weeks getting to know each other and see how it goes. This isn’t impossible, Dee.”

We’re shouting over the music, despite standing so close to one another. I take her hand in mine and lead her off to a corner of the room.