Okay, my ex knows that I am in a relationship. He lives far away and sometimes calls and texts. He says he is in love with me. For the past several years he's been saying "Let's be lifelong friends." Even when I was single. Now that I am with someone he continues to say he wants to stay in touch forever and be "lifelong friends." When I say I can't continue to talk to him because of my relationship he says "how can you stop talking to one of your best friends?" I think: but we are not friends, we are two people who have feelings for each other.

Why does he say he wants to be lifelong friends? so confused