1st of all if he is going to let something like this breakup a long time friendship then he has issues. You aren't breaking the "code" so to speak because they never dated so you don't have to get his permission or approval. Let him hear it from the two of you tho and he will get over it. I say go for it and the best of luck with M

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Aaron
BTW is M who I think it is?(the girl you showed me a pic of and I said was

and if you didn't go for her I would smack you) if that is the one then congradualtions once again