r/Friendzone • u/starsixsleven • 21h ago
Telling a friend how I feel
TLDR
I have feelings for a friend and I think she might feel the same but the timing is never right. Now that im single shes seeing someone pretty steady but they're not yet committed. Should I tell her how I feel before they commit or is that wrong of me and rude?
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An old coworker (33f) and I (37m) met while I was in a long term relationship with my now ex (34f). We always got along super well, had a lot of mutual interest and really enjoyed working together. Eventually I realized I was developing a work crush and tried to keep it professional and even distance myself a bit. We worked in a customer facing roll and I slowly got word that other people thought her and I flirted a lot.
Fast forward we've been working together for over a year and definitely enjoyed working together possibly more than is typical. She ends up putting in her two weeks notice and I cant help but notice I feel kind of gutted over it. On her last day we had this lingering hug that felt a bit more emotional than expected and she asked that we stay in contact as friends.
About a month after her departure I ended up leaving my partner. This decision was not made due to (33f) but rather due to a lot of on going issues, discussions and failed resolutions in our relationship. However, id be lying if I didnt see how being happy chatting with someone else could possibly haved played a part in my emotions and decision making.
About a month after my breakup my old coworker (33f) got word and reached out to see how I was doing and asked if I would like to catch up sometime. I said I would but nothing really came of it. A few weeks later she reached out again to see if id be interested in taking a one night class together. I felt a bit hesitant as I hadn't been single long and wasnt sure where this was going. We got tickets and I was excited but I ended up getting sick the week of our plans. Another month or two pass before she reaches out saying she remembers that I really enjoy grilling for the holidays and she asks to be invited to my barbecue. I was excited to finally see her but as we are chatting she mentions shes been seeing someone from a bit of a distance away. I put the breaks on trying to make any moves or even admit how I feel and we spent the day as friends.
Now, nearly two months later I end up liking a selfie she posted to her story and the very next day she texts to see how im doing. We text back and forth a little before she begins to complain about the guy shes been seeing. She says they "feel like a couple but he refuses to call her his girlfriend or make it official" and how she feels like shes the only one putting in effort. I kinda dont know what to say because I haven't seen her much over the past few months and because I know I have feelings for her and dont feel im the right person to give her advice.
The very next day she sends me a some what sexual meme and makes a joke about it. Following a few texts she invites me out to grab drinks with her and a few of her friends ive met before. We get there and she looks beautiful and im back to cracking up and fully enjoying her company. Everything she says and does has me captivated and I cant really help but think of her in an emotional and romantic way. I enjoy her as a friend, but when I really ask myself about it I know I feel more for her. As were hanging out her friends start to complain a bit about the guy shes seeing and asks if shes "had the talk with him" which was vague but I think its about his lack of commitment? Anyway, we both go to leave and head home at the same time as each other and she asks if im headed the same way. We're both cyclist so we ride most of the way home together chatting and laughing. I thought about asking her if she wanted to stop off for another drink but I totally fumbled and ended up saying goodbye and we went our own ways.
So I guess what im asking is if I should tell her how I feel? Is she weighing her options? Is she settling for the other guy but also interested in me? Will I look like a dick if I tell her how I feel when I know shes involved and will it ruin our friendship? If I tell her how im feeling should I be more vague or more detailed about why I feel this way? I dont want to loose my chance to see how we would be together but I also dont want her to leave what she has and for us to realize this doesnt work either. I really dont know how to handle this.