TO BE OR NOT TO BE – PART 6

Mel pulled me out of the chair and hugged me, I was still having trouble forming words. She sat me back down and got me a tissue. Then she went on, "Sunny, you know you're my best friend, right?"
I shook my head, yes.
"Do you know why?"
I wiped my nose and shrugged. "Because I'm cool?" We all laughed.
"That goes without saying", she paused. "We've been friends, what, about five years?"
"Uh uh."
"And during that time I've dated a few guys, but you are the only one still in my life, do you know why?"
"I always figured it was because you liked girls."
"Yeah, that has something to do with it and maybe that's why I've set my standards higher than most. But you have always been there for me, you've never tried to bull shit me or impress me with bull shit. You're just you. That's what I love about you. And I've felt that there's been a girl inside you dying to get out ever since I got to know you. Now, here you are, look at you, you're finally letting her out and having the time of your life. Your damn right I'm jealous. But, I'm happy for you too and I would never intentionally do anything to hurt you. You're my best friend and I love you."
I can't even begin to explain how I was feeling. I couldn't stop the tears. "Oh, Mel, I love you too." We hugged and kissed. Shari was now crying too and joined in the embrace. "Count me in on this too," she said.
We basked in our friendship bubble for a minute, then Mel said, "Alright, enough of this. We good now?" She asked me.
"Except for one thing," I said, "I'm not doing two guys. I haven't slept with Mark."
"Yet. You haven't slept with Mark yet. It's only a matter of time, right?"
"Probably."
"I'll take that as a yes," she said smiling, "so, we good?"
"Yeah, we're good."
"Okay, it's time to get ready for tonight."
On the way to the theater, we discussed what to do about Antonio. We came up with a plan to have the four of us get together Monday after he got off work.
***
We got to the theater a little after four. We were plenty early so I walked over to the hotel to talk to Antonio. I told him about Monday and he was surprised but excited. He had to attend his sister's piano recital tonight which was cool because I didn't have to make an excuse about my date with Mark after the show.