Hello,
I am really unsure how to go about this situation I find myself in. I'm really good friends with a lady (let's call her D) but we don't get to see each other as much as we'd like due to our schedules/childcare/hectic evenings and weekends , etc. I know this is the case for many people, it's just how it is. So after much discussion of days and times we've decided on a date in the diary for early December for us two to go for a bite to eat together. D messaged me and said she will book the three of us a table. I asked her who the other person is and she said it's A ( I know A but she isn't a friend of mine and I don't particularly care for her, in the nicest possible way, but am always pleasant and civil to her). I was a bit taken aback as I think that with A there it will change the dynamic and D and I won't be able to chat like we usually do. How can I say to D that I'd rather she arranged separately with A and I don't want A to come? I don't want D to think I'm being nasty though.
I realise this sounds awful and I honestly don't mean it to be but social occasions are rare and I really cherish the time I spend with friends so I don't see why I should be forced to spend time with someone I'm frankly not keen on. I am not compatible with A, although she has done nothing wrong to me. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings! If A & D rearrange on another date to go without me, that would be great! But this date in December was originally just supposed to be D and I..