I braced my hands on the dashboard.

He put the car in park. “This is for you.”

Warmth enveloped my hand as he lifted it to his mouth and kissed the back of it. Setting it back down, he opened his door.

The metal-on-metal slam rocked the car and enveloped me in darkness. Then my door swung open and I yelped, clutching my hand to my chest.

He helped me out of the car and pecked me on the lips. “Stay right here.” With a quick cup of my shoulders, he disappeared into the darkness and left me standing in the pitch black. In the distance, the lights from the city glowed like an alien space ship seconds from landing. Crickets chirped and my shoes shuffled in the dirt. Where the hell were we?

The butterflies in my stomach were getting antsy. I tugged on the elastic of the corsage around my wrist.

A rumble broke through the eerie silence and a metal thunk accompanied the spot I stood in being bathed in a warm, glittering light.

My hands shot up to my mouth.

Strings of white lights were strung up along the metal structure I couldn’t make out. A curtain of them twinkled and winked in a slow rhythm, like stars had been brought down from the night sky to make this night even more special.

A table sat under a canopy of the string lights with a small bouquet in the center. There was a cozy corner made of blankets and pillows, and a white sheet hung up like a screen.

Dare walked the perimeter of the space, flicking on lanterns, before meeting me at the car.

“Surprise.”

“You did all this.” I stared at him, not believing he’d planned and coordinated all of it.

“I figured you deserved more than a regular prom. Plus, tickets were sold out, and I didn’t know how you’d feel showing up on my arm.” He clasped his hands behind his back.

My fear of what people would say had made him doubt how much I cared. “I’d have loved to be your date. But I won’t say this isn’t better. I can’t believe you did this.”

“May I escort you?” He held out one arm.

I looped mine through his and walked alongside him.

Pushing back the curtain of lights, he and I stepped into our own little world. It was like finding a magical wardrobe in the attic.

“How long did this take you?” The white, wooden folding chairs had floral garlands wrapped around the sides.

“Piper helped me out. Something about me needing to kidnap you for you to consider going to prom with me.” He smiled with a hint of uncertainty.

My jaw hung open and I sputtered. “I—not you specifically, just the prom in general.”

“I know I didn’t throw you into the trunk of my car, but I hope this’ll do.” He looked up at the lights.

Ripping my gaze away from him, I took it all in. The perfect night. The perfect date. The perfect time. “It’s beautiful.”