I was having drinks after work on a late Friday afternoon when we were joined by a very handsome man who was bright and funny and who many of my co-workers seemed to know. He and I talked for quite a while and I found him quite attractive on several levels. As all of us were getting ready to go our separate ways, he asked me for a date. We agreed on a day and time and I gave him my address.

Just by chance, I learned the next day that he was married to another co-worker of mine… that’s why so many of our group knew him. I was furious that he was putting me in the position of dating a married man without knowing it, and potentially causing great pain to a co-worker, with possible scandal and repercussions for our whole staff.

When he arrived at my home on the appointed day, I answered the door wearing old jeans and a worn t-shirt. “Do I have the right night?” he asked.

“Yes,” I answered. “But you have the wrong girl.”

“What do you mean?” He seemed genuinely confused.

“You’re married,” I said in a flat tone.

“Well, you’re not,” he responded. “So technically, that’s really my problem, not yours.”

“Sorry,” I said, shaking my head as I closed the door, “The single ones are enough trouble.”

Edit. I mentioned this in a comment and a reader encouraged me to include it in my answer:

As he headed for his truck, he said, “Well, if you ever change your mind, call me.” I replied, “If I ever work my way through all the single men on the planet, and then all the male animals, and finally all the male cockroaches, I’ll give you a call.”