hiya mate...
just to say i've been in exactly the same situation, and although things were strained between usfor a while, i feel about 100 times better for getting it off of my chest!
the point is, and it's logical once pointed out, that if your in a close friendship, then that other person should have respect for you. if you tell her, and tell her the truth, then i can't see how any woman would fail to melt at the compliments, i mean, you are paying them the biggest kind of compliment aren't u?
just go for it mate, u have nothing to loose.