"But I had to say it. I've been in love with you for a while now, Justin. I ... I thought maybe you would notice or maybe say you felt the same way, but you just kept chasing girls like Jen. You were obsessed with her, and I figured there was no chance."
"You should have said—"
"When you called and said she cheated on you, I told myself tonight was the night. No more waiting for you to come around. I was going to not only tell you, but show you." She sighed. "I guess in a way I used you, took advantage of how bad you wanted sex, and used that to be with you. I figured if nothing else I could say I know what you feel like and maybe, just maybe, you would see me as more than a friend."
"Sam, trust me, I ... I see you very differently now."
"I'm sure you do. You've seen me as a woman and not just a tomboy who likes all the same things you do, but I was hoping for more."
"Well, I ... I wasn't expecting this and—"
"Just let me finish," she said, wiping her eyes. "Tonight was amazing. You felt even better than I thought you would. I ... I would love to spend the night, but we'd end up having sex again and then again in the morning and ... it's one thing to say I had sex with you so you would have a special first time."
"That I could tell myself was just sex, but if I spend the night it ... it would hurt too much if I sleep with you. I'll feel even worse, and I don't want to be a fuck buddy or a friend with benefits."
"Samantha, you're more than that. You're my—"
"Best friend, and I know that's all I am. I tried and it didn't work out for me, but at least I won't go to bed thinking about you and wondering anymore." She paused and then picked her dress up from the floor. "I'm going to ask that you don't tell anyone we were together. I ... I don't need to hear about it from anyone."
"I'd never tell people anything like that. Unless of course it was because—"
"My sister knows how I feel. She pushed me to come to you. She told me that even though guys try to play it off they never forget their first girl, so at least I know that no matter what happens as we get older you'll always remember me for something."
She started to stand, but I caught her arm. "Hey, hold on," I told her. "You did a lot of talking and didn't let me say anything just now."
"You don't have to. It's what you didn't say. That was enough."
"Sam, you caught me by surprise! I ... I never knew you felt that way."
"Don't worry, Justin. I'm not mad at you. I guess I should be mad at me."
"Sam, you're right. I will always remember tonight."
"I'm glad." She started to pull away, but I held onto her arm.
"Know what I'll remember?"