Just in my experience, I’ve told my friends similar things to boost their self esteem. One friend truly thought she was unattractive (and she isn’t necessarily great looking), my other friend recently had a baby and was going through serious post partum depression and what I’d consider an abusive marriage. I flirted with them both behind my girlfriend’s back in a way that they knew nothing would ever happen between us. But definitely in a way that I knew my girlfriend wouldn’t approve of.

These were close friends of mine, not just casual acquaintances or former bosses. But I’m just letting you know, this is a thing. I don’t know if I’d believe your husband either, very few people are as empathetic as I am or try as hard to make other people feel better. But if your husband is, I’d consider his a semi-believable story.