Don’t apologize for being unyielding. It’s better for people to know where you stand. If you take things seriously, they will too.
It’s not a rival you should worry about. It’s the third party who stands to gain by mixing it up between you.
You’re having second thoughts about that ultimatum you issued and it’s probably just as well. Signal to the other party that you’re open to revisiting things.
Events are falling into place that could make your wish a reality, but it’s up to you to follow through.
Your preferred choice didn’t work out, so you’re happy to have a back-up. That said, try to act like you were interested in number two all along.
Someone can only talk you out of something if you’re willing to be talked out of it. Your ambivalence reads like an open invite to those pushing their own agendas.
