Dear Annie: I am 26 years old. Six months ago, I married a man I’ve been dating since I began college. This is the only serious relationship I have been in. The problem is, I always have had major doubts about our relationship, and if I am forced to admit it, I know I “settled” because I wanted the whole marriage-and-children thing. I am hardly attracted to my husband, and worse, embarrassed by him when we’re out in public because he is socially awkward. We agree on a lot of things, such as parenting (we do not yet have children), but sometimes I’m afraid I made a terrible mistake by marrying him. To compound the problem, I have cheated on him with three different guys. One is a co-worker, and we have great chemistry. I always look forward to our encounters, which happen whenever we get a chance. The relationship is sexual only. A divorce would devastate my husband, who not only has baggage from his own parents’ divorce, but also is very much in love with me. I also don’t want to disappoint my family and his. And if I did leave him, it’s not as if I could be with my co-worker, who also recently married. I’m afraid I will always be looking for affairs. Please help. I have no one to turn to, since all my friends know this co-worker. — Staten Island, N.Y.

Dear Harlot:

Here are the facts as I understand them:

1. you’re married to someone you don’t particularly like.

2. you’ve had sex with three other guys in the six months you’ve been married to him.

3. Of the three guys you’ve had sex with, you’re particularly fond of your coworker.

4. Who’s married.

5. You need to be told that you’re not a shallow person destined to prostitute yourself until you grow old and alone and fond of little glass animals.

You’re in luck, because I don’t think that will happen. What will happen is that you will grow old surrounded by people you loathe, dreading every new day as it dawns, knowing it will be full of lies and hollow of any purpose, other than your secret yearning for little glass animals.

–Annie’s Mailman