I get you about the fling - just be careful. If I've learned anything about these foolish things we call "emotions," is that they are not always rational or controllable. The heart can be a pretty dopey thing. It is very easy to get swept up and get hurt.
I think I hit my fling at just the right time - still too enmeshed to be capable of falling in love with someone else, but detached enough to not freak out over someone else seeing me naked. It helped that I chose someone who was SO completely NOT R material, but I found physically attractive to me....and I was lucky in that he was "talented," even more-so than my ex in some areas (which surprised me). We had NOTHING to talk about, really. And didn't need to. It lasted about 3 months on a very irregular schedule, when he conveniently moved cross-country. I had fun, and came away realizing that I wasn't a troll, and that there could be a future R out there for me, when I was ready. What's that song - "I used him and she used me and neither one cared; we were getting our share."
Like we said back in college, "Double-up and Pull-out!" Stay safe.
