[ ...His eyebrows lift a little. Man, so much of him wants to say... but it just wouldn't be helpful to point out that that one person is a teenager with less-than-optimal social skills who doesn't know her very well, no matter how true it is.

The point isn't where the idea came from, and even in his own head it starts to sound like he's criticizing her for 'letting' this kid hurt her feelings, which is the last thing he wants to do. ]

You should definitely do that, but I'm gonna say right now that I'll be kind of shocked if anyone who actually knows you thinks you'd ever do — anything [ intentionally ] selfish.