In college, I fell in love with a friend. He figured it out and told me that he really cared about me and valued me, but wasn't attracted to me. He didn't want to shut me out, though, and said he'd always be there for me. We ran with the same group of friends, so I saw him a LOT. It was really, really hard, but I was able to transition from romance back to friendship.

We ended up being platonic roommates a few years later--he was great! He was a groomsman at my wedding, I sang at his. (Both of us got divorced, but hey, lol!) We reconnected on Facebook and I still have the best feeling about him...and got a kick out of the fact that he is in a committed relationship with -another- friend from that same circle almost 25 years ago.

Take the gamble. If you are true friends, but it doesn't work romantically, the friendship might be a little "sore" for a bit, but it will come back. Nothing better in this life than your beloved also being your best friend.