"You should email her your question," I suggested to him.
He was amused. "That's very practical! You know, I remember you once told me that you weren't really a very 'girly' sort of girl. At the time, I disagreed, and I told you of course you were girly. But now I think I see what you mean. That's not a very girl-type response, just solving my problem like that."
"So true! That's right, I answered wrong. What would be the appropriate girl answer.... Oh, I'm sorry, that must be frustrating. How do you feel about it? I wonder if she's mad at you. Have you said anything to upset her recently?"