Can we continue as friends?

[Qqqvvvt]

I have a male friend I've known for several years. A few months ago I developed a crush on him, having previously had no interest in him what so ever. We were both single but I gave it some time to see if the crush would go away but it didn't. I was just working up the courage to tell him i liked him when he started dating someone new, having previously been single for a couple of years.

The problem is that now, as his friend, I get to listen to all his stories of this blossoming new relationship. However, I'm secretly gutted that I didn't tell him sooner how I felt. And I don't want to hear about his dates and plans with her because I'm jealous.
Yesterday, as he was asking me for advice about somewhere to take her for dinner, I realised that I can't continue to pretend to be happy for him because at the moment it hurts too much. Has anyone been in a similar position and managed to stay friends with someone that they really wanted more with?

If he's only just started dating her, say it now or forever hold your peace.

My ex's best female friend wanted my ex and consequently waited until we had just had a baby to act on it - a time when our relationship was weak due to sleepless nights. She's now with him and my baby is without a father. Don't be that kind of woman.

I disagree with pp, I wouldn’t say anything I would just distance myself. It will go away in time

How about explaining to him you can't be friends with him as you have started seeing him as more than a friend....see how it goes....if he likes you too he will stop dating the other girl if he doesn't like you then least you will know and not always wonder?

@PumpkinP what if, for some reason, she can't distance herself? Or that she ends up resuming the friendship months later? My ex's "friend" distanced herself for around 9 months but she still came back, but this time more determined to get what she wanted.

@omg12345help has the right idea. It's subtle but to the point.

Tbf I don’t think most people are like your ex friend. There’s nothing to suggest the op is going to behave in that way. Plenty of people have crushes and get over them, I have a huge crush on my sons teacher, doesn’t mean I’m gonna pounce on him though. Also there the ops friend might not even feel that same anyway.

I have no intention of telling friend how I feel. That would seem to be a very unfair thing to do to someone happily in the midst of a new romance.

The only way is to put in some physical distance. Just be busy for a while.

Was in a similar situation. Only thing that worked for me was cutting all contact and trying to move on. It was just too painful listening to him bubble away about his new love and how she was the one.