Ask Amy: My date said we can’t be together because her friend is in love with me

Fast-forward two years.

I connected with a woman on a dating app who is friends with both my sister and Susan.

The new woman, “Jill,” told me on our first date that she and Susan are lifelong friends and that Susan had told her that she is in love with me from our first meeting, two years ago.

All without me ever knowing!

Jill said we couldn’t be together, because it would be a betrayal to Susan.

Jill and I both really hit it off and agree that our chemistry is amazing. We discussed at length the difficulty of the situation.

Jill told me she is going to see other people. I’m a bit disappointed and confused.

Should I contact Susan?

Stuck: “Jill’s” interpretation of “girl code” seems to be that if a friend confesses to a case of unexpressed and unrequited love, then Jill must stay away, regardless of her own feelings, impulses or instincts.

Jill might have misreported or exaggerated her friend “Susan’s” feelings for you, but I am going to venture a take on this: that if Jill really wanted to have a second date with you, she would find a way to justify it — especially if the chemistry between you is “amazing.”

You could certainly contact Susan to follow up on her flooring — or other — needs, but you should ask yourself whether you want to invite involvement with someone who is so passive and hard to read.

At the risk of preventing you from connecting with your next great love, my instincts are that neither of these women is a match for you.

But in this regard, the most important thing to consider is what your own instincts tell you.

Dear Amy: My husband goes to dinner a couple of times a month with the guys, including “Theo,” a man he has known since elementary school.

Theo’s wife, “Teri,” hosted a birthday party for Theo, which is where my husband and I met her. She asked whether we would like to go out socially.

We got together a couple of times, and it wasn’t that enjoyable.

Teri took complete command, such as by ordering the food for the group and controlling the topics we discussed.

It’s not that we dislike them, but we have no interest in going out socially with them!

I have given every social cue there is: not answering calls, not returning texts and breaking plans after she has worn me down to make them in the first place!

My question is: How do I tell someone I’m not interested in being friends without hurting their feelings?

— Want Out

Want Out: “Teri” obviously doesn’t read cues the way most people do, so you’ll have to be honest (but polite) with her. Because of her domineering personality, she might need to have the dynamic and your intentions spelled out.

You could say: “Obviously, our husbands are great friends, but we don’t seem to have great chemistry when we get together as couples. I’m going to back away and let the men continue their special friendship without me.”

She may respond to this statement by doubling down on the social pressure, and if so, you’ll have to say, “Thank you, but I just don’t want to get together.”

Dear Amy: The question by “Had Enough” really resonated with me.

My daughter also experienced a painful rejection and bullying from her friend group.

Her mental health suffered. She sought counseling and is successfully getting on with her life, but it changed her.

We were friends with parents of some of the girls involved.

I gently brought it up, and I got a very unsatisfying answer.

I realized I don’t want to be associated with those people anymore and have quietly let the friendship go.

I am cordial when I see them, but we don’t socialize with them.

I hope Had Enough can move on, too.

— Moving On

Moving On: The ability to let go and move on is essential self-care.

©2022 by Amy Dickinson distributed by Tribune Content Agency