Clay and Taylor's first date went well, and they decided to see one another again. As it was almost time for the senior prom, Taylor asked Clay if he would take her.

"I'd be happy to!" he replied. "Just get me all the details, the place and time and all."

"It's at the Rainbow Lodge on Nine Mile Road at six o'clock on the twenty-third."

"Aw, I know where that is! How about if I pick you up at five thirty? How does that sound?"

"Sounds great! You know, what would be super would be if we could double date with Jamie, but I guess she won't be going, since Andy's not here."

"Hey, you know what? I bet Benjamin wouldn't mind taking her, just so she could go and not have to feel like a third wheel. I'd have to ask him, of course, but I feel sure he wouldn't mind."

"Would you, really? That would be great!"

Clay called Taylor back a couple of days later and told her he'd talked to Benjamin and his friend had been cool with the idea, if Jamie was willing to go along.

"Wow, thanks! I'm gonna call and ask her right away!" Taylor replied. She did.

"I was thinking it would be nice to go to the prom," Jamie told her. "But with Benjamin?"

"Sure, why not?"

"It's just that I've never thought of Benjamin as anything but a friend. I wish so much Andy was here!"

"I know you do, but he's not, and this is your only chance to go. You don't want to miss out, do you?"

"Of course not, as long as he realizes I only like him as a friend. I don't want to get his hopes up or anything."

"Oh, I'm sure he knows that! I'm just glad you're going along. It'll be so much more fun that way."

"Of course I'd never miss the prom! So things are pretty good between you and Clay, huh?"

"Things are great between me and Clay! I've known your brother all this time, but I never realized what a great guy he is!"

"I'm happy for you guys," said Jamie. "Guess what! Andy says he might be able to make it to our graduation!"

"That's great!"

On the night of the prom, Jamie was waiting when Clay pulled up with Taylor and Benjamin. She was wearing an A Line Empress waist long chiffon royal blue dress with cap sleeves and crystals. When she opened the door to greet her friends, she saw that both men wore navy blue tuxedos and Taylor wore a persimmon two piece halter high neck beaded long gown.

"Come on in !" cried Jamie. "You look awesome, Taylor!"

"Thanks, so do you!"

"Jamie?" Benjamin's voice was soft as Jamie's eyes met his dark brown ones, and she quaked just a little inside. She gave a shaky smile as she took the arm he proffered and allowed him to escort her outside to the car.

They arrived to find the lodge bathed in the blue glow of a strobe light with chandeliers full of white candles hung at regular intervals on the ceiling. Beneath each chandelier was a long table made of clear glass and loaded with plates, glasses, napkins, and condiment holders. The band was playing 'Shut Up and Dance' by Walk the Moon.

Jamie watched as Clay led Taylor onto the dance floor. Benjamin turned to her. "Shall we dance?" His voice shook a little.

She smiled. "Why not?"

He led her onto the dance floor, and they began to dance.

"You're a good dancer," Jamie told Benjamin.

"Thanks, so are you," he replied.

It occurred to her that she'd never seen Andy dance, that she couldn't even imagine him dancing.

After several more fast songs, 'You and I' by One Direction began to play. After only a moment's hesitation, Benjamin reached for Jamie, and she went into his arms.

This is really nice, Jamie said to herself as she and Benjamin went around and around together. I'm not dancing with the man I love, but I'm dancing with an old friend, and it's great just to be here with him.

"Thanks for taking me to the prom," she said.

"Hey, no problem!" Benjamin chuckled. "I didn't go to my own prom, you know."

"You didn't?"

"I was too shy to ask anyone out. That, and - " His voice became so low Jamie could barely hear it. "I was afraid no one would want to go to the prom with the son of a murderer."

"But that wasn't your fault!"

"Maybe not, but that don't make no difference."

"That's never mattered to me, Benjamin."

He held her more tightly. "You're really somethin' else, Jamie."

After the prom, they went out for ice cream, and it was nearly two in the morning before Jamie finally got home. Jo, who was dozing lightly, heard the door open when she came in and felt relief flow through her to know her daughter had gotten home safely.