Question F

[Jonetta]

Max seems to have experienced lots of conflicting emotions about Alyssa, even asking her to marry him. What are his feelings towards her and why did he propose?

[Sharon]

Max wants to be in love with Alyssa because she is safe in his mind. He could love her as a friend and be happily married to some degree if he didn't have to break any rules. Max could send Alyssa to another group or reorganize his group to justify this marriage not breaking the rules. He convinced himself that if he were married, he would not be drawn to Gina, and Gina would be free to move on with her life.

[Jonetta]

Alyssa, on paper and in reality, is Max’s ideal woman. The problem is that they don’t share a passion about each other. They respect each other immensely and have a deep fondness, too. But…if these two ever married, they’d be divorced in five years. He’s not “it” for her and whether or not he’ll admit it, Gina’s perfect for his heart.

His proposal was a last ditch effort to save himself…yeah, right.

[Robin]

Max believes that if he marries Alyssa (who he admires and loves as a friend), he will suddenly not have feelings for Gina. His proposal was just wrong. The marriage would never work in the long-term.

[Lauren]

Poor Max!
Gina has him in such a tangle that he doesn't know whether he's coming or going.

This whole relationship with Alyssa was his way of trying to protect himself from his feelings for her. Fail!

I agree with Robin. Alyssa and Max are in love with other people. Any marriage would be based on friendship and would be doomed from the start.

[Anita]

Max was living in total denial regarding both Alyssa and Gina. At least Alyssa was smart enough to know that a marriage wouldn't work for either of them.