Hello,
Apologies if this is a long winded one.
I became friends with Friend A about 8years ago through a mutual hobby group. We are still close . Throughout this friendship, she introduced me to some of her friends. There was one in particular, Friend B, that I gelled with and we became close ( Friend A was really happy with this as it meant we could hang out together). However there was another one, Friend C, who I didn't particularly gel with ( no hate to them, I just don't feel we are compatible and I think she feels the same )
As we share Friend A, we are often together for some social events and we chat and are respectful to each other. There is also a Whatsapp group set up by Friend A where we chat and discuss plans to meet. Friend A often tries to make me and Friend C hang out as a twosome but we just don't bother or we will suggest to pop a date in the calendar for a walk/coffee/lunch and it never happens.
Friend C is having a party this year for a significant birthday ( which I have heard through the grapevine from Friend A and B ) and It sounded like I didn't get an invite. No problem there as we are not close. I wasn't expecting one. However, I have just been sent the details of the event and unfortunately I cant go due to work commitments. I wished her well but got a very short reply. Then i noticed that the invites had been sent out a few months ago ( which I kind of already knew).
Would I be unreasonable to use this as a get out of jail card and pull back from friend C? Id still like to keep my friendship with A and B as we get on really well. When its just the 3 of us, we have so much fun together and we speak regularly. Id like to organize a little dinner together soon but I feel they may want to bring Friend C along. Should I just be honest? I'm guessing if they are good friends , they will understand and they can still continue a friendship with Friend C on their own terms.