Dear Abby: Woman must stop dreaming and face up to the facts

DEAR ABBY: There is a guy at work I've been attracted to for as long as I have worked here — six years. I work in the office, and he is in the field. We see each other a couple of times a week, if that.

We attended a retirement party for one of the employees recently. He started pursuing me. We ended up getting to know each other and stayed together the rest of the night.

We took a drive, and he was holding my hand and saying all the things a woman wants to hear. We kissed. When the night came to an end, we sat in his car and hugged and fell asleep together. (He did not push me to do anything more, which I respect.) It seemed like a beautiful dream.

The following week at work he claimed not to remember much of that night, although he seemed to have a smirk on his face when he said it. Abby, any time I hook up with someone, I tell myself, "Let's see what happens," and I don't pursue it any further, hoping the guy will. Then nothing ever happens. I'll be 30 soon and I've been single almost 10 years.

Should I pursue this further, or see what happens as I've always done?

DEAR SMITTEN: Whether you pursue it further or leave it alone, NOTHING is going to happen with this fellow. When he told you he "didn't remember" much about that night, he was conveying the message that you, too, should forget it.

So take the hint and thank your lucky stars that the "beautiful dream" wasn't more X-rated than the one you described. n