As he waited for Betty to come back, Daniel sat at their table watching everyone on the dance floor enjoy themselves. They all looked so happy, and he realized that so was he. He and Betty had made up, and everything else seemed small in comparison. He had his friend back and they both had their lives ahead of them – together.

Someone tapped him on the shoulder, bringing him out of his trance.

"Hey," Hilda said. "I just wanted to say 'thank you'."

"For what?" Daniel asked, puzzled.

"For bein' so good to my baby sister," she explained.

"Hilda, we're not -" he tried to clarify.

"I know, I know. You're 'just friends'. I get that all the time from Betty, too. But you make her happier than I've seen her with any other guy. And when you guys fight – it's like full-on Armageddon. It was the same way with Bobby and me," Hilda pointed out. "I saw you guys out there tonight. Those looks you were givin' each other weren't 'friend' looks."

"Hilda -" Daniel attempted to object.

"All I'm sayin' is you two shouldn't let the fact that you're scared to admit how you really feel about each other screw up what could be the greatest freakin' thing that's ever happened to you. I almost did – and look what I would've missed," she advised. "Just think about it, before you let her get away again."

She pecked him on the cheek and left.

Did Hilda know about what happened with Henry? Was that why she said what she did? She was almost as bad as Betty for getting into his head - must run in the family. He didn't think she was right, though. He could now admit that he genuinely loved Betty and would do anything to protect her, but was it really a romantic love? He definitely didn't want to see her back with any of her exes. And it was now difficult to picture her with a new guy – he didn't want to see her get hurt again. He wanted her to be happy.

Even if it was romantic – which he doubted - being anything more than friends would be a mistake, wouldn't it? It could ruin what they had – especially if she didn't feel the same.

She was his friend – the naïve, insecure, sunshine-spreading, poncho-wearing, glass-slamming girl who crashed into his world four years ago. Only she had changed. She still spread sunshine, lighting up any room she walked into. However, she had transformed before his eyes into this incredible, confident, ambitious, surprisingly fashionable woman who constantly kept him on his toes, and made him want to exceed his potential. She was the only one he fully trusted working with. Plus, he knew he could confide in her on a personal level and she'd always be there for him no matter what. Then there was the moment that afternoon when she'd stepped out of that limo, he'd had to stop himself from drooling she'd looked so amazing.

Maybe she was what he wanted in a relationship. Maybe he wanted her. What the hell was he saying? This was Betty. He couldn't possibly allow himself to go down that path. It was crazy! Or could he? Maybe taking it slow and letting what happened, happen was the best plan.

Betty entered the room and slowly walked toward him as Justin Nozuka's "After Tonight" played in the background. Daniel noticed her and they met halfway. Something was different in her eyes; she was happier. And yet when she caught his, that happiness appeared to fade. Betty wrapped her arms around him and held him tight.

"What's this for?" he asked, surprised.

"Nothing . . . I'm just glad you're here," Betty excused.

"Me, too," Daniel said.

"Daniel?" Betty looked up at him.

"Yeah?" he replied.

"Will you promise me something?" she asked, timidly.

"Anything," he swore.

"That we'll always be there for each other – no matter what happens?" she requested, tears forming in her eyes.

"Always," he vowed, catching a tear that rolled down her cheek. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine . . . just feeling a little emotional with the wedding, that's all," Betty evaded the whole truth and rested her head against his chest as they continued to slowly sway back and forth to the music.

Daniel wasn't sure whether to believe her or not, but let it go. He could tell it had been a long day for her. He kissed the top of her head and sighed contentedly knowing whatever it was, they'd get through it together.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After the reception was over, Daniel was prepared to take Betty home. However, she asked if they could go to the karaoke pizza place they ate at one time years before. He knew she hadn't had the chance to eat much at the wedding since she'd had to mingle with all of her extended family. But he thought it was strange that she'd want to go there of all places.

"'Bust A Move' is definitely your jam!" Betty giggled uncontrollably as they walked arm-in-arm out of the restaurant.

"Hey!" Daniel protested.

"I can't help it - you were hilarious!" she snickered, leaning into him as they walked.

"What about your version of 'Hit Me Baby, One More Time'?" he snorted.

"What was wrong with it?" she asked, innocently.

"Smacking your ass every time the chorus said 'hit me' and practically doing a lap dance on that 60 year-old truck driver?" he laughed. "I'm surprised they didn't kick us out of there."

Betty playfully shoved him.

"I would've given you a real one, if you hadn't stopped me . . ." she flirted, placing her faux fur wrap around his neck.

"I know! I just didn't want you to do something else you'd really regret - like flashing Gio," he excused.

"I wouldn't have regretted it with you," she gave him a sexy smile.

"You are insanely promiscuous when you're drunk!" he sighed, trying to fight the fact that he was turned on by it. He pried the wrap from her hands and took it off of his neck, giving it back to her.

"I don't know – after my second beer I felt so uninhibited!" she loosened her hair, threw out her arms, and spun around.

Daniel had to catch her as she lost her balance.

"You know, you keep talking about me, but I have video footage of you literally busting a move," she threatened with a teasing, drunken smile.

"Betty, you wouldn't!" Daniel's eyes widened.

"Relax. Just remember I have it for keeps . . ." she jokingly warned.

Daniel shook his head.

"We did kill it with 'No Air'," he grinned.

"True – almost as good as 'I Got You Babe'," she said.

"Yeah, that was fun. What made you remember that place, anyway?" he wondered.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Just didn't feel like going home, yet. What time is it, anyway?"

"3:24am," he said, looking at his phone.

"Wow!" she exclaimed and giggled.

"Yeah," he said.

"I hope Amanda and Marc don't catch us coming in . . ." she said in a sing-song voice.

"They won't," Daniel assured her. "You're staying with me."

"Really? Daniel, are you sure?" Betty timidly asked.

"Positive. Believe me – a lot less questions will be asked if you come home tomorrow than tonight - especially with as many drinks as you've had. They'll just assume you stayed with your dad." Daniel said.

"Good thinking!" she said and stumbled a little. "Oh my god – is the ground tilting? If I have to take another step, I think I'm gonna keel over."

"Here. Let me call my driver," Daniel offered. "It's too far to walk all the way home, anyway."

"Aww . . . you're so sweet," she cooed, then hiccupped.

He smiled; she was extremely adorable when she was drunk.

As they rode home, Betty fell asleep on his shoulder. She was so beautiful and so peaceful that he hated to wake her. He carried her into his apartment and woke her enough to get her to change into one of his baggy college t-shirts and a pair of shorts that were almost pants on her. He tucked her in his bed and dared to kiss her forehead, thinking she had already fallen back asleep. However, he heard her calling to him when he turned to leave.

"Daniel?" she asked.

"Yeah?" he responded.

"Where are you going?" she wondered.

"To sleep on the couch," Daniel innocently stated.

"I took your bed . . . now I feel bad . . ." she groaned.

"Betty, don't worry about it," he assured her.

"No – stay," Betty requested. "Please?"

Daniel knew it was probably the liquor talking or what Hilda had said, or maybe a little of both, but he relented. It was a big bed, after all, and they were only sleeping – nothing more. Plus, he was so sore from all the dancing. He climbed into the other side and closed his eyes.

"Goodnight, Betty," he said, lying on his back.

"'Nite, Daniel," she replied, snuggling close to him, her head and hand on his chest.

So much for sleeping . . .