Lovers' Paradox

A situation where two people like each other, but do not act upon their feeling because of their nerves and fear of rejection. As a result, neither show that they like each other. Instead of a prime situation where both participants get what they want, both feel rejected and dejected.

John: I really like Alice, but I don't want to get rejected by her, so I'll just leave the party.
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Alice: I'd like to talk to John, but he seems too cool for me, so I'll let him be.
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A mutual friend: They didn't talk to each other in the end, its a pretty unfortunate example of the lovers' paradox.