I feel so silly for coming on here for a situation that I should already know how to handle… but here I am anyways! I have been at my job for a few years now. Last year I moved from the downstairs office to the upstairs office, which is how I met my coworker *Dave*. Dave and I hit it off instantly. It did not take long for us to get comfortable with each other to the point where we would start to tease each other and be around each other (i.e. always going to lunch with each other, sometimes the gym, always waiting for me so we can leave together every night). I was still healing from a past relationship when all this started so I did not really read into anything or think of him as someone to date/have feelings for. After some therapy sessions and just working on myself, really embracing my solitude and growing from my past traumas and just in general, I realized the way Dave treats me is everything I would want from a partner. He treats me very differently compared to everyone else in the office as well. He pays attention to everything I say, he compliments me, he even confides in me especially with more personal things he goes through – he does not open up too often and even when he does, you can tell he is a bit guarded. I know he has had it rough with past relationships too so I understand completely.

I was really sick back in January and was rushed to the hospital because I could not breathe. My lungs almost collapsed with how much fluid was built up, but he dropped everything to come check on me and would constantly check in when I was out of work those following days. He even came to my house to bring my stuff even when I told him no. He always makes sure I am cared for. Not too many people care this much about me other than my parents. The chemistry Dave and I built is so obvious that even our coworkers picked up on it and called us out on it a few times at work parties. Dave did not object or deny it, but he also did not add much to it other than agreeing that I am pretty much his “work wife”. During the first 2 months of quarantine, we worked from home and he was texting/calling me just about every single day – he was the one to initiate most of those conversations too. I think we went a total of 5 or 6 days in those 2 months where we did not talk. He even asked me to see his favorite band with him in concert this fall (cancelled now though because of corona), but I know his friends like this band too so knowing he asked me to share the experience with him meant a lot.

Now, the situation I am having is that I am always expressing myself and how I feel. I understand we work together and things can get complicated if I say something, but there is no denying the chemistry there. I am 85% sure the feelings are mutual. I just do not know how to approach this or if I should bother to approach this since I am not 100% sure… I want to make my feelings known without making work uncomfortable, but I also worry about saying something in case I am reading into this the wrong way. Because what IF he is just having fun at work because it helps make it more enjoyable to have something to look forward to every day? I cannot rule that possibility out, but at the same time, he does not flirt or get personal with anyone else here so I am definitely  treated differently compared to everyone else. At the same time, timing is never my strong suit… I hate waiting or bottling things up until the “time is right”. Not like either of us are in a rush to have a relationship, on top of dealing with a pandemic, I just do not know what to do, if I should do anything about it, and would appreciate some guidance.