Spencer and Ashley both have a startled expression on their faces.

Spencer: (looks at Ashley with her eyes wide) Oh, umm. Well dad, you know how girls who are friends sometimes call each other girlfriends?
Arthur: Yes.
Spencer: Well, that's all he meant.
Arthur: Are you sure?
Spencer: Yes. I'm – very sure.

Spencer looked over at Ashley. But Ashley didn't look back.

Spencer: (looking at Ashley, but talking to her dad) Umm, dad?
Arthur: Yeah?
Spencer: Umm, can I be excused? I have to use the bathroom.
Arthur: Sure, honey.
Spencer: Ahh, Ashley? Do you want to come with me?
Ashley: Not really. But I will.

They get up and head to the bathroom.

+BATHROOM+

Spencer: I'm sorry, okay. I freaked. I didn't know what to tell him.
Ashley: Oh, so you just lied?
Spencer: What was I suppose to do? I'm not ready to come out.
Ashley: Do you know how hard it was for me to sit there and listen to you completely belittle what we have?
Spencer: I can imagine.
Ashley: No! You can't. Because you weren't the one listening. I was!
Spencer: Ash, I'm sorry.
Ashley: (tears start rolling down her face) Ugh. I'm so pathetic. (puts hands over eyes)
Spencer: No. You're not pathetic... I am.

Spencer takes her arm off of Ashley's shoulder and walks out the door.

Ashley: Spencer, where are you going?

Instead of responding, Spencer just ignored Ashley and went back to the table where her father was. As Ashley followed closely behind her, she wiped away the mascara that was now under her puffy eyes.

Spencer: (without sitting) Dad... earlier, I wasn't being completely honest with you.
Arthur: About what?
Spencer: About the whole 'new girlfriend' thing.
Arthur: (puzzled look on his face) Spencer, what are you trying to say?
Spencer: I'm trying to say that... (thinks about what she is about to say) umm, Ashley and I are -- more than friends. (sighs of relief)
Arthur: (raises one eyebrow) You two are--
Spencer: Yes. We are.
Arthur: (looks from Spencer to Ashley to his hands, back to Spencer) I'm not surprised.
Spencer: (confused look on her face) What? You're not?

Arthur: No. From the moment I saw you two together, I knew that there was something more between you guys.
Ashley: (finally speaking up) How?
Arthur: Just the way you talked to each other and how every now and then one of you would touch the other one on the arm or knee or something like that. It was just an indication of your feelings for each other.
Spencer: Oh.
Arthur: Yeah. I've worked with teens for almost 22 years and in that time, I've caught on to their body languages and how they respond to one another.
Spencer: So, you were just waiting for us to come clean?
Arthur: Well, it's not so much 'waiting' for you two to come around, it was more like a trust-bond with you girls.
Ashley: What do you mean?
Arthur: Well, I figured that once you came to me and told me, then that would mean that you trusted me and it would make me feel... I don't know, important. So, I'm glad you told me.
Spencer: I'm just glad you understand. I was so scared to tell you.
Arthur: I know. It's a hard concept to grasp. But I'm glad that you finally accept yourself.
Spencer: (looks at Ashley) I do. Thanks so much, dad. I'm happy that I can be honest with you.
Arthur: Me too, Spence. And I'll always be honest with you. I promise.

Ashley hears this and thinks about what she saw that night.

Ashley: Umm, Mr. C.?
Arthur: Yes, Ashley.
Ashley: I don't mean for this to sound rude, but-- are you sure you can make that promise?
Arthur: (skeptical look on his face) What do you mean?
Ashley: (looks at the confused Spencer) Nothing -- nothing. Just... forget it.
Arthur: (shifty eyes) Okay. Well, should we eat?
Spencer: Yeah.

Ashley and Spencer take their previous seats and their new waiter brings them their order.

After they finish their meals and get back to Spencer's house, the girls stay outside while Arthur goes in the house.

Spencer: Thanks for coming tonight, Ashley.
Ashley: Well, thanks for inviting me.
Spencer: No problem.

(SILENCE)

Spencer: So, what were you talking about earlier?
Ashley: When?
Spencer: When you asked my dad if he could make his promise to always be honest with me.
Ashley: Oh, that. Umm, it was nothing.
Spencer: No, it wasn't just 'nothing'. What'd you mean?
Ashley: Do you really want to know?
Spencer: Yes, that's kind of the point of my question.
Ashley: (shifts her weight to the left) Okay, Miss Smart-Ass. Well, remember that night when I dropped you off coming back from the park?