Dear Abby: Should I confront my fiancé’s best friend about his cheating?

A bride-to-be who is otherwise incredibly happy in her relationship is grappling with a difficult social situation involving her fiancé’s best friend, "Joey." Despite being a loyal friend to her partner, Joey is a known serial cheater who repeatedly cycles through monogamous relationships.

A History of Infidelity

Over the last five years, the writer has seen Joey follow the same script: he meets a woman, commits quickly to a deep relationship, and then begins cheating once the initial six-month spark fades. Having befriended several of these women in the past before recognizing the pattern, the writer is finding it difficult to muster the energy to meet Joey’s newest partner.

A Sudden Marriage

The situation has escalated recently, as Joey married his latest girlfriend in a courthouse ceremony after knowing her for just six weeks. The writer admits to feeling angry and nervous about meeting the new bride, convinced the marriage will end as soon as the honeymoon phase is over. As a feminist, she finds it exhausting to be expected to meet and befriend a revolving door of women who are likely being deceived.

Abby’s Perspective

In response, Dear Abby advises the writer to handle the situation with grace and kindness. She suggests being as welcoming to the new "Mrs. Joey" as the writer would want to be treated if the situation were reversed. Abby points out that since this is the first woman Joey has ever actually married, there is a possibility the relationship could work out despite the poor odds. "Stranger things have happened," Abby notes.

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.