About to attempt to change from friend to boyfriend... Please help!

[jwafom]

Hi everyone! This is a great site; some very useful resources. I wish I'd found it earlier.

Here's the deal: I've been great friends with a girl for 3-4 years now. We've studied at UCLA together, participated in activities together, and maintained constant contact when she spent a year abroad. I even saw her through a 1 year relationship which ended a few months ago. We have so much in common with one another - even down to the smallest of things.

She really likes me and I realy like her. We see each other very often and often go to places (like upmarket restaurants) as if we were a couple. I think she's ready to enter a new relationship, having left the other guy some time ago.

What should I do? I believe the physical attraction is there - I have caught her eyeing me off and she often makes physical contact with me (though it's just hugging and the odd touch or prod).

It's odd because we do a lot of things which friends of the opposite sex would not do together on a personal basis (or would they?).

How can I move this relationship along? I believe it's going somewhere, but I don't want to screw things up and lose my best friend!

Help!!! Thanks

[vashti]

I don't see how things can progress without you taking a risk. You need to tell her you'd like to date her.

[Only-virgins]

I don't see how things can progress without you taking a risk.

Well, in general they can progress by having the GIRL take the stupid risk for once. Of course that is just crazy talk

[Kiechi]

Well, in general they can progress by having the GIRL take the stupid risk for once. Of course that is just crazy talk

I actually see girls taking more risks than guys nowadays. Maybe it's to do with the feminization of men recently?

[mainload]

Be careful! Maybe you should try to fan the flame a little bit more before you go charging in. It can seem counter-intuitive but sometimes if you want something you have to look like you don't want something. Being over-keen can be off putting.

[vashti]

Kiechi is so smart!

[Kiechi]

No I'm not