从看到艾丽莎（乔伊·劳伦·亚当斯 Joey Lauren Adams 饰）的第一眼起，霍登（本·阿弗莱克 Ben Affleck 饰）就知道自己在劫难逃，可接下来的消息对霍登来说无疑是一记噩耗，漂亮开朗的艾丽莎居然是一个完完全全的女同性恋者。得知了死党的遭遇，班克（杰森·李 Jason Lee 饰）为此十分打抱不平，他告诉霍登他的恋情并没有走入绝望的境地，并且表示愿意在此方面助他一臂之力。 
　　随着时间的流逝，艾丽莎和霍登之间产生了真挚的感情，一段良缘眼看着就要结成，这时的班克才发现自己内心中充斥着的竟然全是负面的感情，他并不希望霍登能够得到艾丽莎的垂怜，而他和霍登之间的友谊也开始出现了裂痕。

Alyssa Jones: Why are we stopping ?
Holden McNeil: Because I can 't take this.
Alyssa: Can't take what ?
Holden: I love you,
Alyssa: You love me ?
Holden : t love you. And not in a frienaVy way, although think we 're great friends. And not in a misplaced aection, puppy—dog way, although l'm sure that's what you'II call it. And it's not because you're unattainable. I love you. Very-simple, very truly. You 're the epitome of every attribute and quality. l've ever looked for in another person. I know you think of me as just a friend, and crossing that line is the furthest thing from an option you'd ever consider. But l had to say it. l can 't take this anymore. I can't stand next to you without wanting to hold you. I can' t look into your eyes without feeling that longing you ontY read about in trashy romance novels. I can 't talk to you without wanting to express my love for everything you are. I know this will probably queer our friendship, but I had to say it, because l've never felt this before, and I like who I am because of it. And if bringing it to light means we can't hang out anymore, then that hurts me But I couldn 't allow another day to go by without getting it out there, regardless of the outcome, which by the look on your face is to be the inevitable shoot-down. And l'II accept that. But I know some part of you is hesitating for a moment, and if there is a moment of hesitation, that means you feel something too. all I ask is that you not dismiss that at laast fcv ten seconds and oy to dweN in it. Alyssa, there isn't anothar soul on this fucking planet who' s ever made me half the person I am when l'm with you, and I would risk this friendship for the chance to take it to the next platsau. Because it's there between you and me. You can't deny that. And even if we never speak agarn after tonight, please know that l'm forever changed because you are and what you've meant t。 me which... while I doappreciate it-l'd never need a painting of birds bought at a diner remind me 。

艾莉萨：干吗停下来啊？
霍登：我再也受不了了。
艾莉萨：受不了什么啊7
霍登：我爱你。
艾莉萨：你爱我？
霍登：我爱你，不是朋友那种，尽管我觉得我们是很好的朋友。不是一种错位的感情，不是那种小孩子玩家家式的爱，尽管我确信你会这样认为，原因并不是你遥不可及。我爱你，简单而又真实。你集各种特质于一身，这是其他人所不具备的。我知道你只把我当朋友看待，你也从未想过要超越这一层。但是我不得不说，我再也忍受不了了。站在你身边我忍不住就想拥抱你。望着你的双眸，我就会有一种在拙劣无聊的浪漫小说中才会出现的那种对你的渴望。与你聊天，我就会忍不住想表达对你的爱恋。我知道这很可能会毁掉我们之间的友情，但是我不得不说，因为我完前从未有过这种感觉，我也很喜欢处于这种情愫和感觉中的自己。如果挑明这层关系就意味著我们各走各路的话，这会刺伤我的。但是我迫不及待地想捅破这层窗户纸，不顾后果，我从你脸上的表情就知道了这一切不可避免地完蛋了。我会坦然接受，不过我不知道你会有片刻犹豫，如果有一刻犹豫，说明你也感觉到了什么。我仅要求你不要抛弃这种感觉——至少体验1 0秒钟——然后尽力回味于其中。艾莉萨，在这个星球上还没有第二个人能像你这样让我神魂颠倒，跟与你在一起时的感觉，很不同，连一半也达不到。所以我会冒着失去友谊的危险来争取把它往前推进一步．因为这就是你我之间现在的状态。你不能否认这个事实，即使今晚之后我们形同陌路，也请你记住，你的人还有你对我的意义，不可置疑地改变了我，这——我真的很感激这些——我再也不需要那餐车饭店买来的花鸟油画来提醒我了。