DEAR ABBY: Last year, I reconnected with a childhood friend. We met for dinner a few times with our husbands, and everything seemed fine.

They keep asking us to take a trip together, but I don’t feel we know them well enough to spend that much time with them. I’m also becoming uncomfortable when we are together.

She says things like she told her mother she was meeting me for dinner and her mother said, “I’m jealous.”

Her husband tells me she says I’m her favorite person, EVER. She constantly sends me silly things on social media. I have now backed off even meeting them for dinner because I feel crowded by her.

She recently texted me asking if she had done anything to offend me. I explained that I had a lot of work issues right now and was not good company -- I hoped it would be enough.

I don’t want to hurt her feelings, but I don’t want to encourage her friendship, either. Should I leave it alone, or say something more? -- SMOTHERED IN GEORGIA

DEAR SMOTHERED: Listen to your intuition.

I don’t think you need to do more than you are already doing, which is distancing yourself. If you are confronted directly again, remind her that you and your husband are busy people and you do not have the time to devote to cultivating a closer social relationship.

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.