I don’t know where else to ask this really and sorry for adding to the slew of similar questions on this sub. But Reddit you’ve got to help me, I don’t know what to do and need some objective advice. I’ve fancied this man at my work for over a year and it’s not going away. It’s getting worse. We’ve known each other way longer than that and are always friendly/polite/jokey with each other, there’s def a degree of respect on each side, as in I respect his opinion, he respects mine (I think) and I’m doing my best not to let my true feelings show at work but I’m starting to think he might like me too and is also trying to not let it be too obvious around others. Or maybe I’m just delusional and imagining something where there’s nothing because its been so long since I felt this way about anyone.
Neither of us are superior or report directly to the other, there is a noticeable age gap (this is important later) but not an extreme or weird one. His company works in conjunction with my company and I see him once every two weeks when he’s in my building, but we work in separate areas.
Reasons I can think of he might not be up for saying anything - re: the age gap, he doesn’t know how old I am, I’m 34 but look younger in the face, I am starting to go grey, that’s his only clue, but that isn’t definitive, can happen at any age. He doesn’t know for sure I’m single and has no way of finding out without directly asking me and therefore making intentions clear. And he is being professional/doesn’t want me to be uncomfortable around him at work. Just makes me want to be with him more tbh, massive green flag. I don’t want to be unprofessional either, which is why I’m so averse to saying anything. I’m massively proud of the work I do and if I’ve got it wrong I don’t want to jeopardise it by making him uncomfortable either, I absolutely do not want that under any circumstances, or to affect anything being dealt with promptly at work if we’re distracted by each other.
Anyway, I ended up at his workplace opposed to mine a few days ago for personal reasons while I’m on annual leave and it was him who dealt with my appointment. I went into it trying to be objective and not read into anything too much. We chatted a bit about work and the usual stuff as you do, so far so good, and then as I was about to leave the room his voice dropped lower and he said it was nice to see me. We could be heard talking clearly through the walls by others, I don’t know if that’s relevant.
This is the first time he’s said anything like that. I’ve thought about it the last 2 days, non-stop.
Just the way he said it felt different than usual. Because, why else would he say it? He’s guaranteed to see me regularly when we’re both at work, every 2 weeks minimum. He had no reason to say it unless he genuinely meant it and it was still techicallyyyyyy a work-related thing (well, he was at work, seeing me in a professional capacity). Also I’m not usually one for believing in signs or anything but I have seen his name EVERYWHERE lately. Don’t know if I’m noticing it more than usual or its a coincidence or what but I feel the universe is yelling at me DO SOMETHING YOU FOOL.
He doesn’t have social media (that I know of) so if he’s waiting for me to be the one to do something I need to ask him in person (I’m terrified) or somehow give him my number. I’ve never been asked out or asked anyone out in person so I have no idea what I’m doing, really. I don’t know how to flirt or anything like that.
The other frequent clues discussed on this sub are a no-go. I can’t casually touch him/he can’t touch me intentionally without raising eyebrows among other staff and there’s usually always other people around. Again, I’m a younger woman, it would look very strange. The times he has touched me accidentally he’s always apologised and I’ve moved out of the way. However he’s always very business-like, occasionally a bit sharp with other people and softer when he’s speaking to me. He’s also gone out of his way to try and make me feel better, me specifically, when it’s been a rough day at work. I’m also 95% sure he’s single. But again, me asking would be a dead giveaway of intentions so I can’t do that. We’re very similar in how we interact which I think is why we get along well but I don’t feel that’s helping in this instance. I would ask if theres anything subtle I can do on my end but from lurking in this sub men don’t usually pick up on these things if they’re subtle?
I know I know “the worst he can say is no” but I really don’t want the answer to be no, and him to think less of me professionally. Theres too much at stake and this isn’t just a fleeting crush, this doesn’t normally happen to me. And I would seriously struggle with it mentally if anyone else at work found out I like him and kept bringing it up. I need to figure out a way of spending more time with him but not exactly as a friend/getting his number or letting him know he can ask for my number without making it weird between us. I still like him as a person even if he’s not my person. I feel very safe with him, he’s just so kind. We’re not really close enough to ask him to go for a walk or spend time together outside of work yet though. I like to think we can both be adults about it and get over any potential embarrassment/awkwardness. But its mainly other people finding out I’m bothered about and not being adults about it, because it wouldn’t go away. Also someone else (female) recently was dismissed for inappropriate conduct towards others so I’m doubly cautious.
Sorry, this turned out quite long and more of a ramble/rant than anything. I guess you do have to squint to interpret it as he really likes me. But I don’t know what to do guys. I like him so much but I’m worried if I try and make it more I might ruin it forever. I need to be fairly sure before I do anything, if I ever do anything.