After weeks of trying to figure out my (27F) feelings for one of my coworkers (24M), I finally decided to shoot my shot but was too late. He seemed distraught and wanted to know why I didn't say something sooner because he just started talking to someone else recently and wants to see things through with her.

Honestly, I didn't think I liked him that much but after he told me that, my heart dropped and I ended up sulking for the rest of our shift because I couldn't get myself together emotionally. He called me later after our shift and we talked about everything. I explained why I took so long to make a move and he explained that he'd liked me since he first saw me (several months ago) and was trying to subtly shoot his shot but gave up after a while because he didn't think he was my "type". He said he didn't want me to think of it as a rejection because if circumstances are different later on, he wants to try shooting his shot with me again in the future. I didn't really know how to take that because part of me was in agreeance but part of me also thought, if you like me so much then why aren't you with me now? But that feels like a selfish way to think and I hated myself for even having a thought like that in the first place. Even if I'm hurting, I should wish him well with his current interest and I did.

It's been almost 2 days since I told him everything and things at work aren't awkward at all. He still comes up to talk to me and helps me at work. He still makes me laugh and we continue interacting just as we always have, but with a little more space and cautiousness.

I don't intend to wait for him even though it feels like we've both left our door open for future possibilities. I plan to take everything in stride and move forward like I have so many times before. I just know this will be harder because we work together and we have to see each other regularly. I'm proud of myself for saying how I felt because now I don't have to obsess over the "what ifs" or create unnecessary regret. But part of me is also mad at myself for not realizing how I felt about him sooner because I potentially missed out on a wonderful person.

[REDACTED], you'll never read this but dude, I like you so much. I think maybe I've liked you for a while but part of me was scared and the other part just... wasn't sure. I knew you had interest in me and we could have made things work if I had just told you weeks ago. I'm sorry.