When an Avoidant ex asks to stay friends, it can feel confusing, hopeful, and emotionally risky all at once. But this dynamic is rarely accidental. For Dismissive Avoidant partners, staying connected often provides familiarity, comfort, and emotional safety without requiring vulnerability, accountability, or meaningful change. That’s why clarity matters more than hope. Secure behavior means asking direct questions, watching actions over words, and setting boundaries that protect your healing rat