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Is she just a good friend or trying for something more?
I recently got out of a long-term relationship. I was bummed and depressed about the breakup when an old friend (one I haven't really talked to in almost 4 years) "came to my rescue" talking about how I deserved better than her, and so forth (her words, not mine). I initially didn't think much of it, thanked her for her concern and said that "we used to be such good friends. We should try harder to stay in touch, and hang out. We should get together sometime to catch up." A few days later she invited me out for dinner. I already had dinner plans and politely declined, but suggested we should get some after dinner coffee. She said she had some pending plans, but would call me if they fell through to go get some coffee.
It might be important to mention that I had asked out this girl twice in the past. Once in high school, and once in college (roughly 8 and 6 years ago). Both times she declined stating "I can't date someone I can't imagine myself marrying."
Well her plans did fall through, and we got together for coffee. I assumed we were getting together as two old friends to catch up and talk about the good times of years past. I thought I was picking up on a vibe, and that this coffee was more date like. We actually ended up going back to my place to play some ping pong and watch a movie. I have other female friends with which I'm so close that although there might be some flirting, and touching and so forth we know that we're just friends, but I never had that relationship with this friend in the past. A few days later, I needed to get my tires replaced, and decided to call her "to waste a few hours while they replace the tires on my car". Still being a little confused about our "coffee date" I told her "When we got together for coffee, it seemed awfully date-like. Was that just two friends getting together catching up, or was it supposed to be something more?" Her reply was "I don't see anything wrong if either of us were to want to take some physical comfort in the other." Unfortunatly that didn't clear much of anything up in my mind. Wasting two hours for a tire appointment ended up being nine hours of friendly relaxed fun and we ended up cuddling on the couch (per my suggestion). Cuddling on the couch like that is something I've done with some of my other really close female friends, and of course girlfriends, so the simple fact of cuddling on the couch isn't conclusive to me.
Yesterday, I asked her what should I do for the evening. I was trying to decide between making plans, watching TV, or making plans to watch TV. She suggested that the two of us go out for some dinner (it was subway... not a big deal), then come back to my place to watch TV and a movie. During the movie she cuddled up in my arms again (her move this time). But later when we watched TV she sat in a different chair entirely (I was sitting on the couch). Those are the only times we've been physically close.
I'm basically wondering if I'm overly open to affection and flirting because of my recent break-up and this girl just wants to remain friends. Or are the signals I think I'm getting really invitations to see if our relationship could be something more. I've never been this concerned about being rejected in the past. I've always kinda had a crush on her. I don't want to lose her as a friend, but don't want to miss an opportunity to see if our friendship could be something more.
Since I got no answers I just worked up the courage to ask her what we were. The summary of the discussion was that we're really good friends. She feels really comfortable around me (otherwise she wouldn't snuggle with me). She expressed a level of gratitude that she can't snuggle like this with most of her guy friends and is glad that she can "seek some physical comfort" knowing it won't get uncomfortable or awkward. I did tell her that I kinda liked her and wouldn't mind exploring something more romantic, but not serious to which she replied, "I'm not opposed to it, but not right now. When the time comes that I want something more, I'll make it obvious."
Proof that communication is a wonderful thing. We get to remain friends, continue to cuddle if we want/need, and romantically see other people if we choose. Probably the perfect thing for getting over my ex right now.
2 Answers
- eldelfinalegreLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
Dude, communication is a good thing and I suggest you keep the channel open. You need to be clear about your intentions. The universe is quantum. Quantum physics says the past is still there, but you can't access it. So don't cling to the past since it's not real any more. Anything can happen in the future, so it's OK to plan for it. But the only thing that is real is NOW. So to be compassionate to yourself and your friend, be really clear about what your intentions are. If they are to be friends with benefits, then be clear about it. If a woman said to me, "I don't see anything wrong if either of us were to want to take some physical comfort in the other." and I was sexually interested in her, I would say that was an invitation to go the distance. No ifs, ands, or buts. So be clear about your intentions, first. Let your doing follow your intention. That means right speech, right thought, right action, etc. Be compassionate towards her. What is her suffering? If you can't answer that question, then maybe you need to ask her more questions. We already know your suffering du jour. Why are you still attached to it? Until you can take the path away from your suffering, you are only inviting your friend to suffer along with you. Best wishes.
- Anonymous5 years ago
There's not much more you could do than be a good friend and try to influence his life positively. He needs alot of support, so therapy is not a bad idea, like someone suggested. If he could talk to someone about these issues, it might just keep him from making rash decisions. I know it helps me with anger... and anger can lead to rash decisions just as despair might, although its obviously more severe here. Do the best you can for him, and if it doesn't help, you know at least you're doing probably as much as you can. I can't think what else you could do.