I like a Girl who is my Friend

[Axlrose]

Hi experts! I was hoping to get some advice. I recently met a girl on a social networking event (about a month ago). She is very beautiful and appears to have a good head on her shoulders. So far we have been hanging out as friends and often go out for dinner, festivals etc with common friends. I have started to like her and am developing feelings for her. However, at the same time I am little hesitant to flirt with her or indicate my feelings towards her as I fear of losing her as a friend. I am afraid that once I told her that I like her and she doesn't reciprocate equally, then she might start see me differently. I am not sure what would be the best approach. Any suggestions?

Appreciate your help.

[gebaird]

Invite her for coffee or something to see if she'd be interested in hanging out with you one on one. Talk to her about her life and goals, and while you talk make an effort to read her body language to see if she might be interested in something more than friendship with you. If it feels right, let her know you value the friendship but would be open to the idea of more.

[Nonexistent]

Timing wise, after you've decided it's right to tell her try to let her know how you feel early on so that if she is taken by surprise and wants to distance herself a bit you can both get over it and continue building the friendship. For most people the closer friends you are the more awkward it is, though some people feel as though if you are good friends then nothing can come between you and it won't be quite as awkward. Sadly, the only way to tell if someone feels that way is to ask them.

 

Yes, it's a good idea to spend one on one time together, watch how she reacts around you (there are plenty of things to read about so you can get a good idea of what to look for), give her a bit of space (so she can miss you) and try to work with what she wants e.g. if she wants to hug you goodbye, make sure she knows you want to as well (if you do).

[Wiseman2]

Don't blurt out how you feel...that's creepzone stuff.. Rather, just ask her for a one-on-one date and see how that goes.

So far we have been hanging out as friends and often go out for dinner, festivals etc with common friends. I have started to like her and am developing feelings for her. I am little hesitant to flirt with her or indicate my feelings towards her as I fear of losing her as a friend.