Drunken flirting puts close friend at distance

DEAR ABBY » My husband and I have been close friends with a woman named “Louise” for five years. Recently, we were all hanging out, and Louise got very drunk and tried to massage lotion into my husband’s hands. She also hugged him and wouldn’t let go, although he put his hands at his side and his whole body stiffened.

My husband has expressed to me that these situations made him very uncomfortable, and they do the same to me. We talked about letting Louise know, but he felt it would only make her feel awkward around us.

It has been a month, and

I can’t seem to let it go. Should I continue trying to let this go or is a conversation in order? — Taken Aback in

New York

DEAR TAKEN ABACK

» If you “let it go,” it will probably happen again and the friendship will be over. A conversation with Louise is overdue. She needs to know she must be more careful about her drinking.

DEAR ABBY » I have a male best friend I adore. When I tell other men about my bestie, they feel intimidated because he has a key to my apartment. We are not dating; we just have sex sometimes, and everyone that I try to be with knows about him. Must I give up on my bestie to be with the man I love even though Bestie and I promised each other that we will never break our bond for anyone?

If you hadn’t been having sex sometimes with your bestie, the “man you love” might have been able to accept him. The answer to your question is yes, you WILL have to make a choice.

DEAR COMPLICATED »