Dear Miss Emily: I recently broke up with my boyfriend of two years. We just weren't clicking on the right level anymore -- and though it tore me apart to do it, it was necessary. It's been easier for the both of us to act as though we were simply on a break, but it's sort of mutually understood that it's for good - or at least for a good long while. It's been almost a month, and yesterday, a good friend of mine kissed me. In no way am I prepared for another relationship, and he knows this. We've established that it's a no strings attached deal, but even when he kissed me, I felt like I was cheating on my ex. I was faithful to a fault, despite many potential liaisons which presented themselves over the two years. I'm still pretty messed up about my ex, and I know that a no strings attached relationship is bad. On top of that, there's a guy that I've had a weird chemistry thing with for a year. Nothing (of course) has come of it, and he has a girlfriend now, but whenever we're together, it reignites. I'm hopelessly confused. What on earth should I do? ----------------------------Miss Emily's advice------------------------ These are problems, but problems are only as great as the solutions we choose to ignore. Cut if off with your ex and stop pretending that what's going on is an extended break. It isn't. You were not cheating on him because this guy kissed you. You and your ex are not together for a reason, and it would seem obvious that another relationship could ignite with someone who offers something that the relationship with your ex did not. No strings relationships are dicey, because it's a statement made to protect oneself for various reason. Be completely realistic about why the two-year relationship ended, and zero in on what you need to do to get yourself back on track. Sure, a little time to regroup without another man jumping in is a good plan, for now. When you decide you want to get real about what you want, and don't want in a new relationship, you'll be able to shed any guilt or regret over the past -- to feel emotionally strong enough to move forward and open yourself up to new possibilities. Do it when you are ready to free your heart from the prison to where you sent it.