Hi guys
I'll try and keep this brief. Basically I've been after this girl for about a year now. We've been out numerous times, message/chat regularly, I've met her family and we've generally become quite close but never progressed beyond friends. I've raised the issue of dating several times but she's told me that she just wants to remain single for now. She's a very busy girl and sometimes even works up to 7 days a week but I know that when people say that they really mean "I'm still looking for the right guy and unfortunately, that's not you".
She never flakes, which I appreciate and she does appreciate all the things I do for her. And when we go out, we do have a good time. But it feels like she's in two minds about things. We go through these periods of hot and cold. Like a couple months ago, I had to go away for work and when I got back, she had to go overseas as well. When we eventually saw each other again, she was super happy and we saw each other another 4 times during the same week. When we spend time together, I'll mention all these things we can do and she'll be really keen. I even asked her if she wanted to come along on my next work trip and she agreed. But once we stop seeing each other, she gets really cold and can take up to a day to reply messages.
I'm sick of the hot and cold and can't really see a way out other than to cut things off completely, which I really don't want to do but I don't know how much longer I can take the constant disappointment. I'm afraid I've completely gone about things the wrong way but at the same time, don't want to pretend to be somebody I'm not. Is there any way forward or should I just cut my losses and move on?
FYI I haven't completely stopped dating on her account. I do see other women but I just feel particularly strongly about this one and can see a very real and meaningful relationship there.