Page 259 of Hooking Up
"Walker. You saw me almost die. Twice." She takes a long sip. "Of course you're going to be nervous your girlfriend could be in the same place."
"It's more than that."
"What?"
I'm not sure. My coffee doesn't have any answers. But it is good. "I thought I knew her."
"Do you?"
"Yeah." I know the way she giggles when she falls off my surfboard. And how she squeals when I pick her up. And that shy smile when I tease her aboutStar Wars. But I didn't know this. I didn't have a clue.
Bree leans against the table. "How long were you dating?"
"A few months. But it feels like more. I… I'm pretty sure I'm in love with her."
She makes anawwsound and presses her hand to her heart. "Really?"
"Yeah."
"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 watchDirty Dancingwhen 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?"
