Hi M,

It sounds like you will be friends forever, so it’s not like he’s going away. This is very normal: best friends like each other over their life but always seem to have missed connections!

He won’t pick up on any subtle hints from you because you had turned him down long ago. You only see what you expect to see, after all.

I would wait until next year. Possibly get a trusted mutual friend to gently let him know your feelings. If it’s not reciprocated, the friend says nothing and you gracefully continue your friendship. He might be happily surprised, and the friend can say, “Now might be a good time to go for it, bro” (and surreptitiously let you know).

Good Luck,

Inky