DR. WALLACE: A few months ago, a guy moved into our town. My best friend liked him and they soon became a couple. She and I are very close and I love her like a sister and know she loves me as much or even more. She spends a lot of time with her boyfriend, so we don't have many chances to be by ourselves. Because of this, she wanted me to hang out with her and her boyfriend. She wanted the three of us to be best friends.

I did like this guy and thought he liked me as a friend, so I started hanging out as a threesome. For a month we did a lot of things together. We all went to the county fair, to the movies, and to sporting events and we all had a good time — I thought.

Well, yesterday my friend called and started crying. She said her boyfriend was tired of being a threesome and told her to make a choice. It had to be him or me. She chose him. She called to tell me she was still my best friend, but she would no longer spend any time with me. Her boyfriend had made the ultimatum — it had to be him 100 percent or not at all.

I really feel terrible that things worked out this way. Whoever said, "two's company, three's a crowd" really knew what he was talking about. I'm disappointed that I came out second best, but I do understand why. What really hurts is that I thought her boyfriend and I were good friends. I'm usually a good judge of character, but I blew it this time.

Still, I'd like to know what I did to turn this guy against me. I asked my friend and she said she didn't know and didn't want to ask him. I'd like to call him and ask why he wanted me out of the picture. My best friend asked me not to call, but she won't give me a reason. If you were me, would you call him and ask for an explanation? — Nameless, Tulsa, OK.

NAMELESS: Honor your best friend's request and do not contact her boyfriend. When the time comes that your best friend is no longer involved with this guy, she'll give you the word. Then you both can have a good laugh. But don't wait until the breakup arrives to recapture your best friend. Stay active and make new friends.

SPEND LESS TIME WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND

DR. WALLACE: Ashley and I met about a year ago and I guess you could say we're best friends. We do some things together that are fun, but she wants to spend a lot of time at my house and that's no fun at all, because all she does is go gaga over my brother. My brother, who is three years older than she is, has no interest in her, but she goes nuts over him. When he's in the house, Ashley hardly ever talks to me. All of her attention is showered on him. When my brother leaves, she tells me it's time for her to go home.

I've talked to her about this, but she denies having a crush on him. When we are doing things together, I like her. When she is gaga over my brother, I despise her. What should I do? I'm really confused. — Nameless, Tupelo, Miss.

NAMELESS: Try not to have Ashley over when your brother is going to be at home. She simply can't go gaga if she doesn't see him. It's important to keep good friends, but in your situation I would encourage you to expand your list of good friends and spend time with them — and less time with someone you despise at times.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.