I NEED TO TELL PAL I’M DATING HER OLD LOVE

Dear Coleen

I’ve been dating the ex-boyfriend of one of my closest friends for a few weeks now. We’re all in our mid-20s and part of a big friendship circle.

It just happened when we were out one night and he dropped me home. I didn’t plan it, but I really like him and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

I’ve been worrying a lot about telling my friend. At first I put it off because the relationship was new and I didn’t know it would last. Now, the longer I leave it, the scarier it feels to break the news.

The other thing is that some of our friends already know about us, so I think it’s just a matter of time before one of them slips up and she finds out that way, which I don’t want. I’d hate this to ruin our friendship, but I can imagine it being very awkward between us.

Can you help?