Well then he probably shouldn't be asking her out. I'm pretty sure no one ever said, "The best relationships are built on the mutual feeling of apathy for one another."
And I didn't realize that, in your example, "Guy A" and "Beth" were supposedly dating. Just that they were "hanging out". I hang out with a lot of people, and I'm apathetic about a lot of people, romantically speaking.
Yes, I care about them and love them as human beings. But if someone asked me if I was "interested", I would give an apathetic answer... not one that raked the subject over the coals, but not a profound statement of love, either. My original disagreement was because I thought you were saying that such an answer would be dishonest.
As unclingy as I am, I have to say that I'm not a fan of apathy either. You are either interested in someone or you aren't. If you aren't, then you should leave them alone, because that's how people are needlessly hurt. Seems a bit on the selfish side to me.
If I am truly interested in someone and a friendship grows into a relationship, I have no issue with letting a guy know very clearly how I feel, but I have no interest in pursuing a relationship with anyone unless I know the feeling is mutual. That takes some time and honesty.
I agree completely. I wouldn't date anyone I didn't care for, and I will never understand how some people do, just so they won't be without a significant other.