I think I maybe having or about to have an emotional affair and I'd appreciate any advice about how to divert potentially romantic feelings into solid friendship. Can it be done? And what constitutes an emotional affair?
For the last six months I've worked closely with a guy and he's turned from colleague into something closer, though I'm not sure what. We did exchange some lingering looks and meaningful flirting when we first met but that tailed off as soon as we found ourselves working alone. We both work for ourselves and from home so have heaps of opportunity for getting up to no good but we never take it. We speak and email about work most days and have texted each other out of working hours but maybe only four or five times, solely about work and those were exceptional occasions. I'm happy with DH, he clearly adores his DP and speaks proudly about her (she has very clever job).
And yet... There isn't any doubt there's plenty of chemistry between us and I'll admit I fancy him a lot. A lot. From general chit chat, travelling or having tea, etc, I do know some quite intimate details about him, which makes me feel that I've moved to a deeper level with him than our work relationship would imply. I look forward to our contact and I know that he does make a big effort for me in terms of work. But we've never said anything about this or acknowledged it in anyway other than one time about two months ago when we looked kind of longingly at each other when we said good bye. So basically, nothing.
The thing is, I could write down tonnes of great things about him, but above everything he is an excellent work contact and I really can't blow it. Is there any way I can steer the dynamics of this a bit to make it safer? I've confided in a friend and she suggested doing something socially with him and his DP (and others) so that I'd have to acknowledge his relationship and have him see me with DH. What do you think?