Darkauthor81 said:
I've been through dozens of painful, confusing, and down right miserable excuses for relationships and attempted relationships. I do have a wife now though. So please understand that this is the voice of experience and not that I'm trying to bring you down.
You're screwed.
Chances are she already knows about your feelings and just tactfully hasn't brought it up because she doesn't feel the same. You are NEVER as good at hiding your feelings as you think you are.
Besides, once she views you as a friend then there's no going back. No matter how much she says she wishes she could find someone just like you, it will never actually be... you. Welcome to the hell that is being in love with a friend of yours.
This guy's experience is subjective TRUTH (for him) and he's trying to give it to you straight... but, I recommend ignoring everything quoted, excepting that if you end up in unrequited love - cut your loses and cash out early; it's a painful dead end.
You aren't screwed.
The 'ladder' theory most people are familiar with is funny, but basically bullshit. The ladyfolk communicate differently, but they're just as human and want much the same things as guys
My advice is two part:
1) Don't TELL her how you feel; SHOW it, with confidence. Hang out, have some drinks, hold her hand, see how she reacts. Let romantic affection grow organically, not with a statement/request that basically reads "will you be my girlfriend, please?"
2) Number One is how I'd generally recommend doing things, but everyone's different. There are girls that respond better to verbal advances. If you're set on "confessing your feelings", don't say it like you're sorry about it - confessions imply penitence. Just throw it down, honest but upbeat - "Ya know, I think you're really awesome and I've got some real feelings for you; not expecting anything, but I wanted you to know". Just an example: use your own words.
G'luck, young lover. ^_^