If your guy had issues with his last girlfriend, chances are he'll have a version of those same issues with you.

There's really no getting around that. Unless someone gets professional help or has an epiphany or something.

Most people are aware of their issues. They know what's wrong with them. Some work on those issues. Others don't.

It's those Others who give us singles hell. Those Others use their issues as an escape hatch when things start getting serious (read: when you start getting serious about him).

We're not suggesting you should be suspicious when your guy shares little bits of information right from the start. It's good to know if he's thinking about a cross-country move, marrying his high school sweetheart or running off next week to become a monk, or if he likes women so much that he can't choose just one.

There are nuggets that should create suspicion. Here are some sure signs he's trying to wiggle through the escape hatch.

When you: Invite him to meet your friends.

He says: "I think we should keep our thing between us for now."

When you: Want to have the "Are we exclusive now?" talk.

He says: "I don't think there's anything wrong with sex between friends."

When you: Call him your boyfriend for the first time.

He says: "I don't know when I'll ever be ready to seriously date someone again."

When you: Make plans for a romantic getaway.

He says: "Well, you know [insert high school sweetheart's name here] and I always talked about ending up together."

NOTE: If your guy pulls his issues out at the wrong time as a way to escape getting serious, and you get delusional thinking you can change him, the drama that ensues is all on you. We warned you. It's not our fault if you don't listen

Bridgette has a thing for monks. Go ahead and ask her why at brwilliams@quickdfw.com.