I wonder if anyone can give me some advice, please! We're all mid 30s, so I feel too old for friendship dilemmas, but here it is.
I work with two good friends. One is a family friend that I have known for many years (friend A), and we are very close. The other (friend B) is newer to our company, but we have become good friends and have children of a similar age. The two friends know and like each other, but they are not particularly close friends with each other, if that makes sense.
I see both friends socially, sometimes together but usually separately. When all three of us are out together, it feels more strained and I feel that I can't talk to either of them like I usually would which makes it awkward. I would much rather see them both separately, but I've started to feel really guilty if I meet the newer friend without inviting Friend A. I feel like I will hurt friend A's feelings if she asks me what I've been up to at the weekend, for example. But equally, if Friend B asks me to do something, I don't feel I can say, "Ok, but is it alright if I also invite Friend A?" every single time.
Am I overthinking this? We both have other groups of friend, but I think this awkwardness comes because these two are sort of friends with each other too. I read things on MN about people feeling left out by friends , and I'd hate to make anyone feel like that or spoil either friendship. Also, I think I'd maybe feel sad if they were meeting up without me, which is ridiculous! What do you think, please?