DEAR NATALIE: I had some issues with a woman I worked with. She claimed I was harassing her, and she took me to court. The judge saw through it, though, and I was found not guilty of the charges. The only problem is -- well, there are two issues -- is that we still work in the same building. Of course, we have no contact, and I worry that she has told my boss about what happened. Now that the situation is resolved, should I tell my boss that I was found not guilty? I have no way of knowing if she talked to her, but I am worried that she did. Should I ask the woman who filed suit against me if she did tell my boss? Or is that going to create a whole new set of issues? -- FREE AND CLEAR

DEAR FREE AND CLEAR: Without knowing the whole situation, it is still safe to say that you should not approach the woman that you had legal issues with at work. Regardless of what happened between you two, keeping your distance from her is the best thing for everyone involved. (And, come on, why would you want to flame the fire after it has started to die down?) 

As far as your boss is concerned, don't say anything unless you are sure that she knows what happened and it is affecting your work relationship in a negative way. If she doesn't know about it and you bring it up, you may be opening a can of worms. Be glad that this mess is behind you and move forward in the spirit of gratefulness. Also, take some time to reflect on everything that happened, what your role was in the situation and how you can learn from this unfortunate incident so that history doesn't repeat itself. If things become challenging at work -- with having to deal with being around this woman or with your boss -- you may want to consider putting out feelers at other companies and getting a fresh start.

Natalie's Networking Tip of the Week: Be careful what you post on social media. We all enjoy a fun night out, but think about what you are putting out there, who is seeing it and how it could affect you professionally and personally down the road (yet another reason why life was simpler before Facebook).

Please send your relationship and lifestyle questions to nbencivenga@post-gazette.com or tweet them to @NBSeen. You can also send postal letters to Natalie Bencivenga, 358 North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

(This column was originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.)

DEAR NATALIE: I want to know why is it when guys are in a group (and they start hitting on me and my girlfriends) they decide to puff up their chests and verbally berate one another? Do they think that by degrading their friends this will somehow turn us on? This happened (again) recently at an event I attended, where two guys were talking with me and the one kept putting the other one down. I felt bad for the other one and ended up talking to him instead of the guy who "liked" me, which then made him get upset. So, he started berating me. Any thoughts as to why guys act like this? (I'm 24 and these guys were 28 and 32. The younger one was doing the berating). -- CONFUSED SINGLE GIRL

DEAR CONFUSED SINGLE GIRL: Call it posturing or call it "peacocking." I've seen this and experienced it myself in the dating scene. Some guys seem to think to get a girl's attention they have to be cocky, rude or arrogant. Maybe it works some of the time, but you have to ask yourself that if he is acting like this in front of people, what is he like behind closed doors? I am not surprised that the younger guy was the one doing the berating. I often feel that some young men haven't really been hit in the teeth with life too many times yet, and they are riding high on their arrogance balloon. But, once it pops, suddenly they are a little more humble, a little nicer and a little less awful to be around. I'm sorry that he berated you. If anything, it showed you immediately who he was and gave you an easy reason why you wouldn't want anything to do with him. I judge people that I meet in social situations in two different ways: How do they treat the waiter, and how do they treat their friends? Are they supportive and kind? Friendly and willing to have an exchange of ideas? Or, in this case, did he think that the quickest way to your heart (or other places) was via a cocky attitude? Some guys act like this when they are insecure and afraid of rejection. And if he's that easily frazzled, what will he be like when life actually takes him to task?

Natalie's Networking Tip of the Week: If you are at an event to network, don't eat the appetizers while you are mingling. It's hard to have a conversation when someone has a face full of sliders or spinach stuck in their teeth. Finish your networking first, then chow down.

Please send your relationship and lifestyle questions to nbencivenga@post-gazette.com or tweet them to @NBSeen. You can also send postal letters to Natalie Bencivenga, 358 North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

(This column was originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.)

DEAR NATALIE: I made a big mistake three months ago with my (now) ex-boyfriend. I’m 28 and he’s 30. He wanted to move in together, but I didn’t think we were ready. We had only been dating a little over a year. Since our relationship wasn’t “heading anywhere,” he dumped me two months later. I never wanted to break up and I have been really upset about it for months. He hasn’t been seeing anyone else, or at least I don’t think so, and I was wondering if you think it is a good idea to try to get him back? I am willing to move in together, but do you think it is too late? --MISSED OPPORTUNITY

DEAR MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Sometimes, it is all about timing. In this case, it was just the wrong time in your life for that next step. I believe in second chances, and if you both want to give it another go, then go for it. Having that time apart has made you realize that you did want to be with him. Just ask him to get together and share what is on your heart. Be prepared that he may still feel hurt by what happened, but time does heal. He may have taken this time to reflect on his feelings, too. If he hasn’t seen anyone since your break up, it may be because he wasn’t ready to really let you go. Since you are ready to move in, a one year lease is a good way to see whether this is the real deal before you decide to buy a home together. Give yourself four seasons to learn about what it is like to live together and then take it from there. Remember, open communication and trust can do wonders for a relationship, but having the same vision of the future will enable you to go the distance. This time, it seems as though you are on the same page.  

DEAR NATALIE: I recently got engaged and went to have my ring insured. He looked at my diamond and told me that it was actually a cubic zirconium. I was truly embarrassed. My fiance had surprised me with the ring and I cannot believe that he did this. When I confronted him about it, he just shrugged it off, saying a real diamond ring that size would’ve cost him a small fortune and what’s the difference, anyway? He said that the ring looks real, and my girlfriends will never know. But I don’t think he understands why I’m upset. I am upset because I feel lied to. I am ready to call the whole thing off. What do you think I should do? --FAKED OUT

DEAR FAKED OUT: File this under “bride-to-be-worst-nightmare”. Having your engagement ring turn out to be a fake is not exactly the way you want to start a life together. People may scoff at this and call you “shallow” or “materialistic” but the symbol of what this ring stands for is important. This is a symbol of your love and commitment to one another. To have it be a fake may make you feel as though your relationship is a fraud, too. Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with a cubic zirconium. It’s the fact that he didn’t tell you that it wasn’t a diamond. He let you believe that it was. I wouldn’t want to start a life with someone who is so willing to lie to me to make things easier on himself. What else could he be lying to you about? I would think long and hard where to go from here. Personally, I would be edging towards the door.

Natalie's Networking Tip of the Week: It’s easier than you think to build connections. While we isolate ourselves in the digital world, sometimes all it takes is a smile and “How are you?” to remind your neighbors that you can become friends, too.

Please send your questions to Natalie Bencivenga to her email, nbencivenga@post-gazette.com; or through postal mail to Natalie Bencivenga, 358 North Shore Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Follow her on Twitter at @NBSeen and on Instagram @NatalieBenci

(This column was originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.)