By the time we made it inside, my hand was sweaty, but I didn’t pull away. The music was blaring, and students were already dancing in the middle of the room. Sierra spotted Chris and Jenna, who were surprisingly getting down to Will Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.”

“Let’s join them?” she asked.

I nodded, gesturing for her to lead the way.

For the next couple of hours, we were lost in the crowd. Song after song played without us coming up for air. Every so often, some douche would tap on my shoulder and try to squeeze in between me and Sierra. And, every time, I scowled and shook my head, sending the offending asshole scampering away. The first couple of times, Sierra lifted her eyebrows in surprise.

“Really?” she asked after I wouldn’t even let Chris dance with her.

“Yes, really,” I answered emphatically before twirling her around. “Tonight, you’re my date. All these other clowns had plenty of time to ask you out. They didn’t. I did. So I’m the only one who gets the pleasure of dancing with the beautiful Sierra Sullivan tonight.”

The truth was I knew what the guys were doing. I’d laid claim to Sierra way back in junior high when Ryan had tried asking her out. It had worked for a while, but as soon as she and Danny had started hanging out, everyone had known I wasn’t her keeper anymore. But they soon would. Not that I could begrudge them for wanting her. I knew what was happening. Everyone else was finally seeing what I was seeing. But they didn’t know how I felt. Hell, no one did—not even Sierra. By Monday morning, everyone would know.

Her laughter pulled me from my thoughts. “It’s not like you to be possessive, Jeremy,” she said, biting her lower lip. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I teased as I held her at arm’s length and slowly raked my gaze over her body. “A sexy little blonde in a green dress, maybe?”

Her cheeks flushed, and thank God the music changed or I would’ve kissed her right then and there.

“I’ll be right back,” she said, and my heart stopped as I wondered if I’d said too much.

I frowned. “Is everything okay?”

She nodded and waved me off. “Oh, I’m fine. Just a little warm. I’m going to go splash some water on my face.”

Before I could protest, she practically sprinted to the bathrooms.

“What’d you do this time?”

I turned to see Jenna eyeing me suspiciously. Her hand was placed firmly on her hip.

“Me? I didn’t do anything,” I protested. At least, I hoped I hadn’t.

“Are you finally going to tell her?” she asked.

My eyebrows drew together.

She rolled her eyes at me. “Don’t play dumb with me, Jeremy Banks. You and Sierra have been sniffing around each other ever since she got back from Ohio. It’s time to shit or get off the pot. If you’re not going to date her, there are plenty of other boys here who will and who want to.”

“You think I don’t know that?” I hissed. “I’m telling her tonight!”

“I knew it!” A smile broke out on her face as she threw her arms around me. “It’s about freaking time! Chris and I will disappear so you won’t even have to worry about us at the after party,” she squealed. Then she clapped her hands and ran away before I could make her promise not to tell anyone until I had the chance to.

Just as I was about to follow and warn her, the DJ’s voice came over the speakers.

“All right, Raiders. We’ve had a special request tonight. This one comes from Sierra Sullivan to Jeremy Banks.”

My eyes widened as my heart hammered. I spun around, searching the room for her. I raised an eyebrow when I found her by the punch table, sipping innocently, and rimming the edge of the cup with her tongue. She shrugged her shoulders, struggling not to laugh.

What the hell?

As soon as the first notes played, I shook my head. Whoops and hollers sounded all around me, and a small clearing opened up. I beckoned for her to join me, but it was her turn to shake her head. Apparently, I was doing this one on my own.

“Hell yes! Let’s go, Banks!” Chris jumped in beside me.

I couldn’t say no. So I loosened my tie, rolled up my sleeves, and broke it down, Backstreet Boys style.

Was it original? Nah.

Was I the only one? Thank God no.

Was I sexual? Not at the moment, but after watching the way Sierra’s eyes were locked in on mine as I danced, I wanted to be.

Was I everything she needed to rock her body? I sure as shit wanted to be.

Thanks, Backstreet Boys. I was definitely glad you were back.

The moment the song was over, Sierra launched herself at me. “That. Was. Amazing.” She was breathless and giggling, which made the whole thing more than worth it. “Jenna told me she made you guys learn all the moves this summer while I was gone, and I didn’t believe it. But that was… God, that was so much more than I expected. Nick Carter who? He’s got nothing on you, Jeremy Banks. You’re the only boy-bander I’ll ever need,” She beamed at me for a moment before Chris whisked her away to do the Macarena.

I hoped she felt that way for the rest of her life. Then it hit me—I’d almost missed this chance. She’d been so close to coming to the dance with Danny. I’d almost lost her. I couldn’t—no, I wouldn’t—let that happen again.

Just as I was about to ask Sierra if she wanted to get out of there, the DJ announced it was time for the last dance. Talk about perfect timing.

Sierra was across the gym, and she looked up, searching for me. Our eyes instantly locked. My head cocked to the side, and she smiled hesitantly then beamed when I lifted my hand and beckoned to her. We both moved at the same time, meeting in the middle of the room just as Kenny Chesney’s “You Had Me From Hello” started playing.

I couldn’t have picked a more perfect song. Because it was true. Sierra had had me at hello, and she’d had me ever since. It had taken me a long damn time to realize it though. Which was why I was fixing that tonight. All I needed to do was get her out of there and alone. Because she deserved that. She deserved everything.

My arms slipped around Sierra’s slender frame, and my hands rested on the small of her back. She fit in my embrace perfectly, as if she were meant to be there. As her head rested against my chest, I wondered if she could feel my heart pounding.

This was it. I couldn’t wait any longer. The urge to lay it all out on the line for her was so powerful, I thought I'd burst if I didn't get it out soon. I just had to tell her how I felt and wish like hell she felt the same way. My lips brushed the top of her ear, lingering for a moment. She shivered underneath my touch. A good sign, I'd hoped.

“Sierra,” I whispered.

Her head lifted, her eyes wide with expectation. “Jeremy,” she breathed.

My name had never sounded sweeter. If I could record her saying it, I’d listen to it on repeat every night before I went to bed. Who needs the sound of a babbling brook when you have the girl of your dreams whispering your name with astounding affection?

I swallowed hard. “I have to tell you something.” I paused as her chest rose when she inhaled deeply. “I—”

Right when I was about to spill it, someone tapped on my shoulder. Once again, our moment was interrupted. My head fell to the crook of her shoulder, and her annoyed sigh filled my ear as she dropped her hands from my back. That made two of us.

When I looked back up, Danny Moyer was watching us curiously.

“Mind if I cut in?” he asked, a cocky grin forming on his face, which was begging to be punched.

I glanced from him to Sierra, whose eyes were pleading with mine. Pride because she didn’t want him swelled in me. If I had my way, she’d never want anyone else but me ever again.

“Yes,” I answered. “I do mind.” Without another word, I whirled her away from him.

“Thank you,” she said, flashing me a smile before wrinkling her nose in disgust. “He’s such an asshole. Now, you were saying?” she asked as she slid her hands up until she linked them around my neck.