[that gets a chuckle as he shifts and slips an around her—]

You asked for it.

[—to give her a warm, almost bear-like hug as he pulls her a little closer to him.]

Now I'm not letting go until you tell me I am your best friend—because I'm not settling for "practically."

[and he is indeed keeping his hold on her. although, even trying to imagine her say that is...well it's hard to believe. he half expects her to say that they're really not like that at all. and yet, he kind of does hope that they are.]