A couple of years ago I met J on OLD site. I was in the process of moving away to help advance my career so made it clear that I wasn't looking for any commitment, just some fun times while I was still in the area. Always upfront and honest. We had a few dates and one time drunkedly DTD. But he had just had a big promotion at work that was quite stressful and I was preparing to move, so that things faded out dating wise and I also think he was looking for something a bit more than just casual that I couldn't offer.
We would whatsapp and met up for coffee a few times as we both actually got on well as friends, both very ambitious for our careers and just easy to talk to about all sorts of stuff.
Just as I was about to move, covid hit. Both buyer and seller pulled out the week before exchange and I just decided to pull out too until knew what was going to happen. J and I still kept in touch, as obviously I was gutted about not moving and the whole situation and he was really supportive.
Once we knew the restrictions J and I would meet up and go for walks, it was really nice as I don't really know many people where I live (long story!). Obviously neither of us could really date or hook up with people during the restrictions but it was nice to just see a friendly face in person. As restrictions changed we would then go out for dinner and a few longer days out. Just as friends, nothing more. I don't really know whether he was seeing anyone but his job was certainly a lot more stressful due to the impacts of covid (think lots of people with employment issues suddenly making his workload increased).
Fast forward this year I decided to sell up again and so far all is going through okay. J also decided he wanted to move and buy somewhere bigger and he moves soon.
But here we go, certainly over this year we've got closer and closer and I've finally accepted how I feel about him. We message pretty much every day. We see each other nearly every week, either go out for dinner or go out for a walk somewhere, or even just get takeaway and watch TV if we've both had a busy day. It's just a nice friendly vibe, nothing untowards has happened. But I end up thinking about him more and more and more in a more than friends way. And crunch time is coming as I'll soon be getting ready to exchange and move.
I won't lie I have been on the OLD meeting people and having a good time (we all have needs!). I assume he is as well, I don't know, it's not something we really talk about. He's definitely single, but I know his work is very busy still and he's been busy sorting out the house move as well.
Sorry that's way longer than I was expecting! But should I say something about how I feel or just let it lie and move on and still have a good friend longer term? I would like to meet someone and settle down, I have no issue with that, but I diddn't really want to meet someone when I'm about to move 90 miles away.