Is It Possible?

So here's what happened. I'm in a relationship with a great guy that I've been with for two years now. He knows who he is, he doesn't need the shout-out. Anyway...

So I met someone else. He's cute, he's funny, he's friends with my boyfriend's brother, and he's gay. I think we would get along really well. I think we could be friends.

But can you do that? And if you can, how do you initiate a friendship with someone? Is it bad to give someone your phone number if you're in a relationship? What if he already knows you're dating someone? Is it okay then?

My boyfriend is completely comfortable with me making friends with other people, regardless of sexual orientation. He's secure enough to know that when I'm looking for friends, he doesn't have to worry. So I approach this other boy and start talking to him.

Sure enough, I clam up like a 14-year old. My hands get sweaty, my face goes all red and blushy, I start stumbling over words. Guys, I'm a public speaker. I speak in front of enormous crowds all the time and answer really intimate questions about my personal life. Yet put me in front of a cute guy in a bookstore and I start worrying about social studies homework and meatloaf surprise in the cafeteria. It doesn't make sense.

Is it because I think he's cute? Is it because subconsciously it feels wrong to give another guy my phone number? I can't seem to figure it out. I get socially crippled by one person, then travel and speak to a thousand strangers about what it's like to come out to your parents.

So I gave him my phone number. And felt like a dork. Might as well have been on a note that said "Do you like me? Check One, Yes or No."

We'll see what happens. Maybe we'll become friends and laugh at this later on down the road.

Well...laugh at me, that is. Laugh at me.