These Two Women Know Each Other

Wednesday | September 21, 2022

Love Letters Dating

These Two Women Know Each Other

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Hi Meredith.

I’m a man in my 40s. I was connected with a single woman – “Mary” – to do a small emergency home repair for her. I did the job, and Mary and I discussed another project she would like to have done in her home.

I was mildly interested in Mary.

A week or so later, Mary contacted me and said that due to her budget, she’d have to postpone the discussed project. I replied that we could do the project together to cut labor costs. She never responded and I figured I creeped her out.

Fast forward two years. I met a woman on a dating app and by coincidence or karma she is lifelong friends with Mary. We went out a few times, had great chemistry, conversation, and agreed that we were really into each other. Then she told me Mary is/was totally in love with me but was afraid to contact me back then for whatever reason. So this new woman tells me she feels she and I shouldn’t be together because it would be a betrayal to Mary. Even though Mary didn’t respond when she had the chance.

I really like the new woman and wouldn’t want to cause any drama in her life, but I’m not sure what to do. So, should I reach out to Mary? Would that be playing games? Or just let it go?

-Stuck-

What a small-world situation. I’m just going to assume you live around Boston. Maybe Rhode Island.

Now to the advice. Unless you want to date Mary, don’t contact Mary. If anything, you could ask this new woman to think about how this might be possible (maybe she could talk to Mary?), and to let you know if there’s anything you can do to make it easier to see each other again.

But I assume you said as much when you had this conversation. If so, let it go.

I’m not sure what happened with Mary. Like you, I would have assumed that your “let’s do a renovation project together” pickup line might have been way too much for her. But this new information makes it all confusing.

You know what would be lovely right now? For things to be far less confusing. That’s why I think you should start from scratch and get yourself out of this group. Find someone who doesn’t randomly know Mary. I know it’s disappointing because you had a such a good connection to this second woman, but it’s all too close for comfort. She’s told you that.

For the record, I don’t believe that this second woman’s connection to Mary is karma because 1) that’s not how karma works and 2) lots of people know each other. Especially in certain areas. This is just an unfortunate coincidence.

If you received a clear answer from this new woman about this being over no matter what, move on. Don’t let it get in your way.

– Meredith

Readers? Any reason to call Mary?

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Featured Comment

u0022Had the new woman wanted to be with you she would deal with Mary herself.nnYou could just say, ‘well, I’m interested in you so if at some point in the future you want to see me, reach out and we’ll talk’ and then just leave it at that.nnDon’t get caught up in high school nonsense, there ARE other women out there.u0022 – JSMus

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