To say Zach was flustered would have been an understatement. Everything he'd been exposed to, taught, screamed at him to refuse. It questioned why he had even agreed to accompany her. Had he been uselessly hoping she would have been chaperoned?

No. He'd known. They'd first met abroad, and she'd been without. Why would this time be any different? The Ravenclaw in him lectured about propriety, thinking ahead, tactful words of let down.

But his heart. His heart clambered to be heard. It silenced reason and logic. It silenced thoughts of repercussion. It silenced everything save for the baited breaths between them.

Please.

How could he refuse?

Jo's surety gave him courage. He intertwined his fingers with hers and started leading them toward the stairs. His expression was strange, caught somewhere between longing and exhilaration. Between bafflement and worry. Between want and need.

He was terrified.

But it felt so right.