an update in case anyone is interested: been texting back and forth a bit, and plans are in the works for a possible date next weekend since our work schedules may actually line up for once. I suspect the other friend's comments were motivated by jealousy, but I'm not 100% sure. While it doesn't solve my self esteem issues or my fear of sex, it's one less drop in my problem bucket I have to worry about. I'm still not sure I'm completely ready for a physical/sexual relationship, but I feel like my problems will just keep getting worse until I face them. Maybe this is my opportunity to do that with someone who might actually care? Still VERY self conscious about my lack of experience, not so much with intercourse itself but everything leading up to it (kissing, foreplay, etc), and I start getting anxious just thinking about me kissing or having sex with someone, so there's a good chance this could all blow up in my face and make me swear off guys forever (ok, maybe not forever, but a long time).