At Tessa’s house, the group gathered in her living room, drinking beers and smoking pot. Tessa was beyond fidgety. Leo quietly went out for a cigarette, and Tessa followed him.

She took the lit cigarette out of his mouth and stole some long drags off of it. Her eyes glistened with tears about to fall. He went to brush them away, but she jumped back immediately.

“What the hell?” She asked.

“I don’t know.”

“You’re supposed to be his best friend -.”

“I know. But – if he weren’t in the picture – or if you met me first -.”

“Yes,” she was fully crying now. “Yes.”

“Somehow thought I’d feel better knowing the answer,” he muttered. “I don’t.”

“I don’t want to be that girl, the one who separates two lifelong best friends.”

“He’s like a brother. I don’t want to do anything to hurt him.”

“Well, then, what the hell?”

“I just can’t stop looking at you.”

It was far nicer than anything Jo had ever said to her, nicer than anything anyone had said. But she didn’t know how to respond.