The moves were completely out of place, not to mention downright strange given the song, but it was so much fun that I didn’t care.

By the time Daryl made his way over to us, he was minus both his homecoming crown and sash. Looking disheveled and devastatingly gorgeous, he moved through the crowd like he was Moses and everyone at the dance made up the red sea.

"Thanks for looking after my girl," he told Reebo before hooking an arm around my waist and pulling my body flush against his.

"Daryl," I began to protest, but Reebo threw his head back and laughed.

"Anytime, King," he chuckled before disappearing into the crowd.

Both flustered and thrilled by the possessive move, I looked up at him. "That was really rude, D."

"What?" Daryl shrugged unapologetically. "I want to dance with my date."

My heart hammered with excitement. "How many times do I have to tell you that this is not a –"

"Date?" he offered with a smirk, as his hands settled low on my waist – way freaking low.

Wildest Dreams drifted from the speakers around us and I felt a shiver dance down my spine. Daryl's green eyes were so focused on mine that it made it hard to breathe. His hands on my body made it even harder. The feelings and emotions that he evoked from me were so overwhelmingly powerful that I felt off balance.

"So, have you thought about it?" he asked, fingertips skimming the curve of my hip.

"Thought about what?"

"Being with me."

"I am with you, D." My heart jackknifed as both panic and excitement coursed through my veins. "I'm with you right now."

"No." His hand tightened on my waist, pulling me closer. "That's not what I mean and you know it."

Yeah, I knew what he meant and the thought terrified me.

Daryl King was all I had ever wanted my whole life, and now, after basically eighteen years of admiring him from a safe distance, from a slightly murky friend zone, he was offering himself to me.

Problem was, I couldn’t understand why he wanted this when he quite clearly could do so much better.

"Look around us, D," the rational part of my brain decided to say, striving for common sense. "I can point out at least a dozen girls that make more sense for you to be with – girls that would be more than ecstatic to be with you."

"Already told you before, Dolly. I ain't looking at anyone else."

"Well you should."

"Why?" Frustration filled his tone and I could tell he was getting pissed. "Is this about the fire? Because of your scars? Because, Christ, Dolly, if you could see yourself through my eyes…" He blew out a ragged breath and tightened his hold on my waist. "If you saw what I see, then you would never doubt yourself again."

"Because this is high school and I don’t have a high school heart," I offered weakly, shivering when he continued to hold me close as we swayed to the haunting music. "You'll go off to college next year and I won't get over it. I won't get over you. I've already told you that I'm not casual, and let's be honest here, everything about a high school fling is casual." I shrugged, feeling more vulnerable and exposed than I could handle. "I've already lost so much in my life, D… I don’t think I can handle another loss." I can't lose you again. "I feel like it's safer for my heart if we stay friends." That way it won't kill me when you leave…