Q. I led a guy on...only to realize I love him only as a friend and cherish our friendship too much to jeopardize it. But he's become very infatuated with me. I feel terrible. How do I tell him 'I screwed up, let's just be friends because I need that more than ever?' I don't want to lose him at all, he's a good guy.

Girls' BFF says:

A. Well you're going to have to be straight up with him and risk it anyway. You admit you led him on. He's not going to be happy with that, but it's better to tell the truth and get that out in the open than sit on it and let him go further down the rabbit hole. But yes, you may lose him. His feelings will be hurt and he'll likely feel used. You can only hope that once you explain to him what happened and what you hope to gain from your honesty that he will still be cool with you.

Oh, and you also have to hope that he will still be cool with you without constantly trying to make a relationship with you. A lot of people (and it seems guys in particular) make that decision to stay close with the stipulation that they're hoping you'll realize what you're missing at some point.

Sorry homes, but I hope for the best for you.

Gal Pal says:

A. Here's what you tell him - and you tell him now...not a day later. "I adore you and value you and think you're a remarkable person - but I think you and I work best as friends. I'd like us to be friends for a very long time." Then set him up with the best girl you know. You may lose him... but if you really care for him as a friend, you'd rather set him free to find happiness than lie to him about your feelings.

Internet site reference: http://www.guyspeak.com