I have a married friend who I've known for 15 years. She (and the dogs of course) have kept me sane these last 17 or so months. Her husband is the other person I should thank because he trusts her completely and because of that - by extension - trusts me.

You can be friends with a person of the opposite sex. It just takes a lot of mutual respect and trust and common sense. Who wants to blow that kind of friendship and trust over a bit of stolen nookie?