Penny123 wrote: I always try and welcome him into the friendship group...
Yes, your actions sound extremely welcoming [sarcasm]
If you were my “friend” the friendship would not last very long.
You are a hypocrite. You are being manipulative while accusing this boyfriend of being manipulative.
YOU are trying to manipulate the situation. Own that. Do not hide behind the bull#$&* noble cause of “watching out” for the best interests of your friend. Do not pretend that you are the good friend in this situation and this boyfriend is the manipulator.
Certainly the boyfriend might be manipulative, but do not pretend like you are not.
A real friend tells me what they think, but then they let me make my own decisions. A real friend doesn’t try to “make me see”.