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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

we both like the same guy....what's the best thing to do...

129 replies

doormat123 · 01/07/2014 15:54

This feels so silly.....and I feel like I'm a teenager again. (I'm in my 40s).

I REALLY REALLY like a guy, and we had a few dates a few months ago. We had a snog, and not much more, and he clearly doesn't want to take it further although we are now quite close friends. I'm hoping it will develop.... When we go out, usually once a month, we often have a snog, and always hold hands etc.

We are both on dating sites/Tinder and sometimes talk about our dates but nothing has come to anything yet.

He recently met a friend of mine. I've only known this friend for a year. She told me she won't pursue anything with him as she values our friendship. she said she wouldn't give him her phone number or meet up with him again as she knows how I feel about him and so it wouldn't be fair. I told her that I really appreciate that and thanked her and responded that I too value our new friendship.

I know I could have said that that was silly, and if she is attracted to him then she should go for it, but I decided for once in my life to not be a doormat and to just accept what she said and thank her.

Meantime, I know they are in contact, but don't know how much.

He has said to me that it would be odd if he dated her and that his friendship with me is too important to risk.

I haven't spoken to her since realising that she was going behind my back doing this.

My upset/disappointment is that she is doing this behind my back having said she won't. Not, that she is doing it. She could have said straight off that actually him and me are just friends, and therefore she actaully would like to see if anything happens with them.

Meantime, I am due to see him this Saturday afternoon. I would like to actually know if they have seen or are seeing each other, and just don't know how to play it. I feel perhaps I should cancel him, and step back and let whatever they want to evolve evolve, and then see what has happened in a month or two?

I don't want to get petty and ask them what's going on. They have both individually said to me that their friendship with me is the most important thing here, yet their possible actions show otherwise. Plus I then give them something to discuss and say I am being silly.

Do I step back? As I am writing this I think this is perhaps the most sensible thing to do. But I am really falling for him big time.

Do I ask one of them what's going on, and if they are planning on seeing each other again - but then I look petty and it just isn't necessary?

Any advice please? I feel like I'm 18 again. But we had an unspoken code of conduct then. Now I don't know what to do. Just disappointed mostly. xx

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 01/07/2014 16:45

But he sounds crap ! Confused

AmenGirl · 01/07/2014 16:48

"mooning over a bloke that just isn't that into you"

Agree AF but I think it's falling on deaf ears...

doormat123 · 01/07/2014 16:48

Keep telling me that. I wish I thought he was crap. But I don't. I actually seriously like him and think he has some great qualities.

OP posts:
BuzzardBird · 01/07/2014 16:48

Because you don't know what you are worth obviously. You have set your sights too low. I don't know how you could carry on seeing him without feeling irritated. I couldn't.

doormat123 · 01/07/2014 16:48

I will stop mooning. I will. I will. And having you lot keep telling me really helps. Honest. And thank you. X

OP posts:
BuzzardBird · 01/07/2014 16:49

OK, I don't know if you have a DD, but if you did, would you want her to date someone like him who is only out for what he can get? (and dates other women just to prove it)

AmenGirl · 01/07/2014 16:51

I'll be here for hand-holding afterwards, because you are worth much more than this idiot. He's making you doubt yourself for no good reason! Dating is a hard slog but it's so worth it when you read all the success stories! I wish you so much luck for tomorrow night's date Smile

AnyFucker · 01/07/2014 16:53

Great qualities ?

He knows full well you really like him but likes to keep you on the hook with pity snogs and hand holding

Meanwhile he goes behind your back and sees your friend

It's teenage lothario stuff and you fell for it

Come on. Put your Big Girl Pants on now. Friends don't treat each other like this. Although it has to be said, he can see whomever he wishes, he is a free agent. Keeping you dangling is rather cruel though.

doormat123 · 01/07/2014 16:53

Thank you so much AmenGirl. I will text him later on then report back. And will need handholding I think!

Yes let's hope tomorrow nights date is good. We've been messaging for about a week or just over and spoke on the phone earlier. He sounds nice.
Xx

OP posts:
arsenaltilidie · 01/07/2014 16:56

No need to cut the friendship because of this.
She likes the boy and he likes her, they aren't going to stop texting.
You are just putting them in an awkward position.
If the tables were turned and it was her who had first dibs, I doubt you would stop contact with him.

As for him, he is not just into you.
Chances are the kisses and holding hands are just a fun thing for him and you are reading it wrong.
And he is enjoying shagging 2 friends at once.

BuzzardBird · 01/07/2014 16:59

I have a feeling your text won't be what I have suggested and you will end up making him feel like the town stud. Never mind. What about my question ^^?

YouMakeMeHappy · 01/07/2014 17:00

I think you have to let them get on with it and act as if you don't care. They will probably get together if they want to regardless of your feelings, especially as you've not known the friend long. It's not very nice if them though!
If you don't act as if you care much then you save your dignity.

Finola1step · 01/07/2014 17:00

He's thoroughly enjoying having two women fawn all over him.

pictish · 01/07/2014 17:04

You can't put tabs on a guy who you are never going to be with.
He's made it clear that he's not into you, so that's that. Please do not hold his hand or kiss him again.

I'm really sorry...unrequited love is so painful. I feel for you. It will be hell to watch them pairing up, I understand...but if the spark is mutual and they are both single, they are unlikely to stay apart for long.

It's not fair...but life isn't. It's shitty sometimes. Hugs etc xx

doormat123 · 01/07/2014 17:07

Buzzardbird - I'm going to try very hard to text just that something's come up and sorry but I need to cancel.

I don't have a DD but am very confused as up till about a month ago I thought he was a player and not alway nice but in this last month he has actually been a friend to me and helped me through a couple of things so I'm not quite clear on it :(

OP posts:
doormat123 · 01/07/2014 17:09

I think that either way or whatever happens I won't bring her into any discussions with him.

They are both free and single to do what they want. It was just that she misled me that hurt and disappointed me.

OP posts:
BitterAndOnlySlightlyTwisted · 01/07/2014 17:15

"Something has not come up", has it? Don't lie, you'll just be putting off the inevitable. Tell him that being "just friends" isn't what you wanted and you'd rather not waste your time. You've got plenty of proper friends and don't really need another one.

BuzzardBird · 01/07/2014 17:18

"Something has come up" is only delaying it. You are looking for a 'get out' in case you change your mind aren't you OP?

doormat123 · 01/07/2014 17:20

I thought that something has come up was good cos it wasn't feeding his ego?

OP posts:
MummyBeerest · 01/07/2014 17:22

So sorry OP.

Drop him, leave her to it. He doesn't sound that awesome, esp as you had your reservations about him before.

The whole thing is awkward and no one benefits from it-except for his ego.

You deserve better. Good relationships don't start off by playing teenage games.

pictish · 01/07/2014 17:24

Personally I wouldn't have the big confrontation. My pride wouldn't allow me to feed his ego further, so on that score OP, I think you're right.
I'd just faze him out. Cancel on him and then be busy.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 01/07/2014 17:26

HE is the one who's misled you, far more than she. She's not the one snogging you and holding your hand, is she?

I feel that you're waivering from your resolve. That way lies a lot of pain and misery (for you) and the OUTCOME IS JUST THE SAME.

This man is not a friend. If he were, he would stick to boundaries of friendship, not this.

I wince sometimes when I see the harsh advice posted in situations like this but it's bang on the money and comes from compassion for you... and I wish I'd had MN as a resource when I needed it.

Please do not allow yourself to re-write this Greek drama in your head. It's not worth your time or feelings... and stop blaming HER, blame HIM if you must blame somebody. Do something to make yourself proud of YOU and step away from the muppet who is thoroughly enjoying himself at your expense. Cool indifference is what you need to strive for here.

overmydeadbody · 01/07/2014 17:34

For goodness sake, just text to say you won't be seeing him again.

You were only ever his friend in the hope that he would change his mind about you. That' not a real friend anyway.

overmydeadbody · 01/07/2014 17:39

LyingWitch OP was hardly a friend to him either.

patienceisvirtuous · 01/07/2014 17:40

I would just text and say 'I'm gonna have to cancel Saturday. This friendship isn't really working for me. I wish you well though.' Then delete his number and any subsequent texts.

I would just faze her out with a couple of non-committal replies if she texts you.

You can do better than that OP.