I'm so conflicted...

So, a few weeks back, in an attempt to pay less attention to Asheville, I decided to go to a party and get my flirt on with a very cute boy I saw from a distance at a party. It was a party thrown by a new friend of mine who I really didn't know all that well. I went up to her to say hi, let her know I showed for her event. She greeted me warmly and said "Hey! Have you met my boyfriend?" There he was, the boy from a distance. "Oh well" I thought to myself..."you kinda have a boyfriend anyway."

Despite being disappointed about his relationship status I ended up talking to this boy most of the night. His girlfriend (my friend) was drunk as shit and gallivanting about the party. I found this boy to be pretty interesting and I felt like we had a lot in common, but I resolved to not flirt or do anything that might get me in trouble. I would have to keep my crush to myself. She came in and out of our conversation and at one point she said "you know who she would be perfect for?" nervously he asked "who?" she said "your friend Andy. He's cute, tall, Jewish, banker...you'd love him!" He hesitantly shook his head in agreement. She made him take my number and store it in his phone so they could set me up. He gave me his card, three times.

And in a not so distant planet...Pete tells me he has a crush on my friend (the one with the boyfriend...you following me here?) We make a joke pact to break them up. Three days later, they break up. We swear we have nothing to do with it. She broke up with him cause "it was just time."

I had promised the ex-boyfriend of my friend that I would email him ASAP and I never did. I felt bad about pursuing any kind of relationship with him even a friendship. Once they broke up I also considered emailing him but I figured, he's got my number. But one day (after feeling particularly low about Asheville) I emailed him. He emailed me back right away. This starts a dialogue between the two of us that I think may be flirting. I tell him I'm sorry that he and my friend broke up. He tells me he's sad but he's already back in the saddle (no, he didn't use those exact words). We decide to meet up for a drink sometime.

And in another universe all together...my friend is totally back in business. She's dating and wants to get everyone in on the fun. She asks me if she can set me up. We're chatting, things are good. She doesn't know I'm talking to her ex. Which brings me to tonight and probably the reason I'm up at 5am and can't sleep. She IMs me "I didn't know you looked at ex-boyfriend's website?" I admitted that I did. I can only assume he's told her that we're talking to each other. She tells me how he's a total asshole and hates his guts now. This is a major turn-around from last week where she said they could probably be friends. She has essentially told me to stop speaking to him. I never said I wouldn't but I think she understood that I would.

So now I'm all conflicted. He's a nice guy, I'd like to be friends with him. I'd like to leave my possibilities open to maybe, someday, date him when he's not on the rebound. BUT, this girl is awesome and I know she could be a fabulous friend once I get to know her. I don't think she'd appreciate her new friend befriending her ex. If only they had stayed together a few weeks longer and I could have gotten to know him through her and when they broke up I could say "well, he's also my friend." But that didn't happen. I guess my loyalties should lie with her. So conflicted.