"Oh my God. This is my big sister moment. You've never loved a girl."
"Never."
"You haven't even liked a girl since high school."
I nod. I haven't. I haven't considered it since Bree started using.
"But you're… it's bad. Or you wouldn't have that look on your face."
"Was it me not knowing she was an addict that tipped you off?"
She plays with her coffee cup. "I really shouldn't have said that. If she'd told you a few weeks later on her own time…" Bree shakes her head. "That was so fucked-up of me. Unforgivable. The anonymous thing is serious. It's the only way people can really share. And I violated that. I… would it bug you if I apologized to her?"
"No, but I—"
"Shit. Maybe I shouldn't. Maybe that would only make it worse." She takes another sip. "Sorry. You, well… what happened?"
"I freaked. She left. We've talked a little since, but… I don't know how I feel."
"Yeah, you do. You just said you love her. Oh my God. This is so romantic. I'm going to have to watch Dirty Dancing when I get home."
I cringe.
"Huh?"
"Don't you think she looks like Jenifer Grey?"
"No. Maybe the nose. But her complexion is all off." She refills her cup. "Don't get me wrong. She's pretty. But I know you care about more than that. Do you care about more than that?"
"Hey."
"Hey what? You're still a guy."
"She's smart. Funny. She’s embarrassed by how nerdy she is. Even when she’s full of nervous energy, she barrels into shit. She goes for it."
Bree's smile widens.
"What?"
"You totally love her."
"I do."
"So? What the hell is the problem?"
"I don't know if I can trust her. I want to…"
"But you told her the past was the past. She didn't betray your trust."
"Yeah." That makes sense. It does. But it doesn't feel right.
"Okay. She should have told you. But this isn't about her. It's about you. Well, and about me. Sorry. I kinda fucked this up for you on both sides." Her laugh is nervous.
"Yeah. But it's still on me."
"Well… can you forgive her?"
"I do."