“You look like you just rode that roller coaster. You don’t have to do this.” I didn’t drop his hand, but I did pitch my voice low and soothing as I loosened my fingers, so he’d know I wasn’t tethering him to another uncomfortable situation. But to my surprise, he tightened his grip.

“I might be nervous. And not really know what I’m doing or how to do it right, but I want to.” His tone was firm, as if he needed to sell us both on this turn of events. “I like holding your hand.”

“I like holding your hand too.” No way was I letting go now. He was trying. And in that moment, it was everything. He was scared and he was trying anyway—for me. It was almost too much. “And you’re doing plenty right. Trust me.”

“I just want you to know that I’m not always going to be embarrassed about us.” He nodded sharply as the song crested, our own little movie-perfect moment as my heart did its best to leap over those protective barricades I kept erecting to present itself to Milo on a platter for the taking.

“There’s an us?” I had to joke so that I didn’t let myself get carried away by what his declaration meant. But he’d used an us and an always in the same sentence. And that was something.

“There’s an us.” He was emphatic, but then bit his lip. “Right?”

“Yeah. There is.” I squeezed his hand and tugged him closer. The velvet of my jacket brushed his bare arm. “And even when I wear my costume? I don’t want you embarrassed to be seen with me.”

“I’m not.”

I raised an eyebrow because I didn’t believe him.

“Seriously. Any issues I have are with myself. And sure, I don’t like eyeballs on me or being made fun of. But I’m working on not caring. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”

“Thanks.” Heart. Milo’s. Done deal. Delivered with two-day express shipping, no returns accepted. And right on cue, the music shifted to another love song, this one from a movie popular the year we graduated from high school. And for once the thought of high school didn’t make me nauseated and angry. The past was fading. Not gone. Not forgotten. But not as important, not as vital as this moment right here. “This song better?”

“Yeah.” Milo nodded but didn’t move.

“We don’t have to—”

“I want to.” Still holding hands, Milo took a few halting steps toward the dance floor.