Getting To Null Her Better

A woman I met somewhat recently admitted she was "head over heels" for me. Because I like to get to know a person before contemplating anything romantic, I said we should be friends first, take it slow, and see where it goes. She agreed, but ends conversations by calling me "sweet pea" or "sweetheart," making me suspect she isn't okay with taking it slow.

--Worried

It's sometimes what people don't include in their requests for advice that's the essential detail. It took me three e-mails to pull it out of you -- the answer to my question, "Are you attracted to her?" Your reply: "I like her as a person but nothing more." Well, she's a girl, not an acorn you store up in case it's a long winter. If you aren't into somebody who's into you, that's what she needs to know -- not that you want to "take it slow" (because with a little time, she could grow a new head and body and become exactly your type?). As for how this woman ends conversations, you won't have to fret about what "sweetpea" really means once you help her get a sense of what you really meant by "taking it slow": True love waits. But nowhere near as long as "couldn't be less attracted to you."