Dear Annie: My best friend recently started dating someone new, and ever since, she’s become distant. We used to talk daily; now I’m lucky if she texts back within a week. When we do hang out, he always tags along, even for things we used to do just the two of us.
I’m happy she’s found someone she likes, but I miss our friendship. I tried mentioning it once, and she just laughed and said, “Don’t be jealous!” I wasn’t trying to start a fight; I just wanted her to know I feel left out.
Should I bring it up again or just let it go? — Third Wheel
Dear Third Wheel: Relationships can be all-consuming, especially at the beginning, but they’re not a substitute for friendship.
Focus on a small, concrete ask: “I’m happy for you, but I miss spending time just us. Can we make a plan soon — just the two of us?”
If she brushes you off again or keeps making you feel like an afterthought, it might be time to invest more energy into friendships that go both ways.
Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.
“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.