But as I stood there beside him awkwardly, I was overwhelmed with the feeling that I had to do something, to say something, or accept that I let the opportunity get away from me.

“Really great show,” I said.

He smiled at me. “Thank you so much. You guys are the best,” he said, the words falling out of his mouth quickly, and I knew he’d said the sentence a hundred times already that night.

I bit my lip.

Do it.

Just say it.

“Almost worth battling through the hordes of prepubescent fans.”

He didn’t respond immediately. He blinked, and the perfect smile fell from his face for just a second, and then, for the first time since we had walked up to him, he truly looked at me.

“Sorry?”

I smiled but didn’t repeat myself.

He frowned, examining my face. “Do I know you?”

I shook my head a little and smiled, but now he was really looking at me, eyes locked, and he squinted as if that would help him out. I saw the recognition dawn, and then he spoke quietly.

“The DAC driver?”

I froze, and it wasn’t until then that I realized that I hadn’t really expected him to know who I was.

“It is you, isn’t it?” he asked.

I saw something flitter across his face. Concern? Fear?

It reminded me of the night I’d dropped him off on Oak Street and the way he’d looked back at me to see if I was watching him as he stared up at Emma in the window. For a moment, I was transported, staring at him in the moonlight, Emma’s silhouette looking down on us.

“How about that?” I heard Hooks say, and I was jolted back to the present. He was watching me with a slight, nervous smile. “I didn’t think you recognized me! Were you just messing with me that night?”

“I…uh…”

He stepped closer and looped an arm around my shoulder, lowering his voice.

“Hey, quick question. I’ve been meaning to contact DAC. You didn’t see my phone, did you? I haven’t been able to find it since that night.”

“Oh…uh…well…” I fumbled and trailed off, looking over at Vanessa and Jen, who were still bent over their phones, examining the pictures we’d just taken.

The line of excited fans seemed to be growing, and they all stared at Ryan and me. I wondered what was going through their minds about why he had his arm looped over my shoulders.

“Uh…”

“Did you see it?”

My tongue was a big hunk of sandpaper, and I wasn’t sure what to say, since I didn’t know exactly what I wanted.

“Yes,” I blurted out.

His eyes widened. “Really?” he asked. “That’s awesome.” He waited a moment, and when I didn’t say anything else, he stepped even closer. “Uh, do you…have it?”