My secret crush has met a guy her own age – now it’s too late
DEAR DEIDRE: THE woman I’m secretly in love with has met a guy her own age, and I’m worried I’ve missed my chance.
Should I tell her how I feel before it’s too late, or do I risk ruining our friendship?
We’ve been friends for eight years. I’m 44 and she’s 32.
We first met at work, when I had to mentor her, and we stayed in touch after I left the company.
She’s had a lot of problems over the years, and I’ve always been there to give her advice and be a shoulder to cry on.
She was also a great support during my divorce.
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It’s taken me years to realise that I have strong romantic feelings for her.
I was just building up the courage to tell her when she said she’d met a guy, 33.
Although I pretended to be happy for her, I’m gutted.
I don’t know how she feels about me – I am a lot older – and confessing could destroy our friendship.
DEIDRE SAYS: Her relationship is new and might not work out but if you don’t tell her how you feel, this will eat away at you.
She may feel the same, but be prepared for rejection.
She might not view you in a romantic way, or she might feel you’re too much older.
Even if that’s the case, things may be awkward for a while, but if you make it clear how much you value her as a friend, it doesn’t have to ruin the friendship.
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