Dear Lauren:

You are welcome. I enjoyed reading your first couple of lines ending with the smiley face. Thank you.

“he plays dumb. (Knowingly)”, not that knowingly. It simply works for him and he keeps doing what works for him. He probably didn’t think about it thoroughly, if at all. It just works for him so he keeps doing it. Awareness or acute awareness is not necessary for us to keep doing what works.

“serene acceptance” reads like a good indication that you are choosing correctly. From your share of June last year and today, reads to me that this friendship, at least outside work, is not serving you well.

anita