Immediately, Harrison stiffened, his shoulders rising slightly as if he were a turtle trying to withdraw behind a protective shell. Now was the time for thought, and that thought had to come quickly.
She was staring him in the eye, keeping him locked in place. The sensation of entrapment gave way to submission and dread, and he knew disappointing her was not an option.
He drew a deep breath, and let it out slowly so it wouldn’t look like a sigh.
Unblinking, he said “I’d be… honored.” His body stood unmoving and his brain called him twenty kinds of fool. You idiot! Now you have to dance! They’re ALL going to be watching the two of you and you’re going to look like a darn fool!
He managed a strained smile.