Relationships & Desire

He has been a loving boyfriend for years. I still struggle with the other girl he talked up while pursuing me.

We were friends for three years. When I finally admitted my crush, he wanted to try dating—but 45 days later, he still saw me as a friend.

After nine years in a difficult relationship, I wasn’t looking to date. Then I started falling for someone already woven into my closest friendships.

We had only just started dating, but a trip together meant something to me. He was still matching with local women—and said I was overreacting.

He was her first kiss, and he reassured her when she wasn’t ready for sex. Then his replies dwindled until her last message went unanswered.

We slept together, then I returned to his restaurant that evening. He sent drinks to our table. I was still waiting for a message.

I thought I was respecting my girlfriend’s communication style. Four months in, she told me she missed the calls—and more than that.

Dinner and a movie went well. As a coworker’s affection grows, he realizes that enjoying her company isn’t the same as wanting a relationship.

At 47, I fell for my 30-year-old running partner. The more I wanted him around, the harder I worked to keep him at a distance.

After a few dates and patchy texting, our conversations got warmer. Then he started calling me “babe,” and I wasn’t sure what had changed.

Women regularly approach him, and dates or sex sometimes follow. When he starts the conversation, he can’t get past exchanging details.

When I found my boyfriend crying, he tried to take care of me. Then he told me what my slower replies had made him fear.