It's actually a good thing that he did phrase it that way. Unfortunately for Alcide, Buffy has had the same sort of problems with relationships, but she'd been in Sookie's role and not Alcide's. She hadn't wanted to or even consciously been that person, but it didn't change that she had been. However, she's grown a lot in the last few years. She's had some time to be herself and to figure out who she is. She'd just gotten into the relationship with Spike with high hopes that it could be good. She wants to be in a relationship where she's all in and she'd thought she was in a place to do that.

Honesty is the best policy. His honesty makes her flush. "Thank you," she tells him and takes a deep breath, looking up to him. She remembers that first day at work, when they'd gotten so close; she'd been trying to tell him a little about this place. "THere's definitely an attraction there," she finally admits, "and you know how you look." He's gorgeous okay? But she's trying not to lead him on. "But I'm all mixed up emotionally right now and I was just getting into my relationship with Spike and..." she trails off because she does like Alcide like that and she feels like a horrible person for it.

Ruminating is good. She needs some time to think about all of this, about everything.

She nods a little, squeezing his hand back. "Friends."