Dear Advice Diva:

During my freshman year of college, I became very close friends with a guy I'll call Harry. There was nothing romantic between us, but we had a great time talking and hanging out. He is from my hometown, so it was only a matter of time before our friends began intermingling.

My best girlfriend, "Sarah," was in another relationship at the time, so it took several months for anything to transpire between her and Harry, but when it did, the change in Harry was noticeable. He became whiny, clingy, attention-starved, slightly sexist and fell into childish antics to get Sarah's attention when he felt ignored.

When he isn't acting this way, he is pouty and withdrawn, sometimes going to extremes (hiding under my bed or in my bathroom) until she gives him the attention he wants. They bicker over silly things, or call each other gross baby talk names in public. In short, as a couple, they can be hard to hack, especially because I know how great they are individually.

Sarah is a hard-headed person, and insists that all relationships are fraught with this sort of behavior.

I am not sure what to do. Harry has said that he notices that I treat him differently, but I can't help it. Sarah has changed our friendship and the balance in my social circle forever. I can't help but resent her a little because I know that she doesn't intend on being with him for the long term (she is still not completely over the last guy and talks to him).

Thus, my friendship was sacrificed mainly because my best friend is strong-willed, impulsive and wanted her way in this situation. I love both of these people and do not want to lose either. Do you think their relationship is normal?

— Frustrated and Friendless

Dear Frustrated:

The Advice Diva is all for tolerance in relationships as far as baby talk and other guards-are-down play between couples go (not that she endorses this, although she is prone to addressing her cats in this manner). It is best left for private dialogue, though, as it does make everyone else cringe.

It's the hiding under the bed and in the bathroom part that strikes us as strange. Sarah no doubt is one trigger point for Harry's many issues, and there's probably not much you can do to disentangle him from her.

Maybe stage an intervention with friends, suggesting he consult a therapist (have info ready).

Prepare to sit this one out until she tires of him. At that point revisit the professional help option before he crawls to another dominant mommy figure.

The Advice Diva welcomes your questions — particularly the more amusing ones. Write her at advicediva@MiamiHerald.com.