His Friend

@breepeace (3014)
Canada
March 20, 2007 9:16am CST
My boyfriend has a core group of friends that he spends a lot of time with. Most of the people in the group are couples, and his one best friend is married to this woman I cannot stand. She makes nasty, catty remarks to me that I always seem to catch, while the guys all miss it, and since her and I are consistently the only women that are always there, a lot of the time none of the other girlfriends aren't around to catch it or help me out. She's never really struck me as a sincere person, or warm, and I've always felt like an intrusion when she's around. When she's not, I notice everyone seems more relaxed but no one is going to tell her husband what they feel. I finally cracked and told my boyfriend the other day my concerns that she doesn't like me. He thinks I'm imagining things, but I think it's only because he holds her and her hubby in high regard for all the things they've helped him out with over the years so he's willing to believe the best about her. I'm honestly at wit's end as to what to do. I don't feel comfortable around her (I actually experience mild anxiety attacks and have to excuse myself to the restroom to calm myself down), and I told him I'd prefer not to hang around his group if at all possible, which brings up a problem. He works out of town for a month at a time and comes back and has a few weeks to fit everyone in. I'm priority #1, so he spends most of his time with me, but he does enjoy integrating me into 'the gang' so he can spend time with them and me. With me not wanting to be around since she's there most of the time (and we can't very well cop out every time she's there, since we'd have to ask whether or not she is), either his time with the gang is going to cut into our time, where I'm going to feel resentful or my time is going to cut into their time and either he or they is going to feel resentful. But I don't know what else to do. I work and live here so I can see my friends whenever I want, but he's only here for short periods of time, and as long as she's around (and since I believe marriage vows are for life anyway), she's not going anywhere either. I don't think my choice is unreasonable, but he's not happy about it. Anyone have any insight to offer?
1 person likes this
1 response
• United States
20 Mar 07
This could be off in left field but, perhaps since it is plain to see your boyfriend and this couple are close. Maybe she thinks she is protecting him like a mom would, the old you have to prove you are good enough for him attitude. If you really care for him, and it seems you do. Then you have to face your fears and deal with this woman. Perhaps you could call her up and go out to lunch just you and her, I would tell her you just wondered if you guys could talk. You should be honest with her, and tell you that you feel that she doesn't like you, but for the sake of her friendship and your relationship with "Dave" it would be nice for you two to work this out. Letting her know that you aren't going to come between their friendship may put her on the less defensive side.
1 person likes this
@breepeace (3014)
• Canada
20 Mar 07
Her and I have gone out for lunch just the 2 of us before, but she's very difficult to be around and she really doesn't do much to keep the conversation going. Add insult to injury the fact that she's best friends with his ex fiancee who she decided to invite to the St Patty's Day party we were at on Saturday without mentioning anything to me, and I think she's really got some sort of vendetta she wants to prove to me. I'm not sure she think she's protecting him, but they fixed him up with his ex and it worked out beautifully for all of them. They got to see her and him all the time and I think she's a little resentful of the fact that he came back to me after they broke up, like she thinks I was waiting in the wings for him or something (I wasn't.. I was in a relationship when they broke up and just acted as a support system for him). And she's 15 years my senior.. I'm not a super social person, so I don't even know what to say to her beyond, 'Why don't you like me?'.