it's always better to back off and leave it be in this kind of situation. take it from someone who has been both the sender and the recipient of similar unwanted attention: it's just irritating when people try to explain themselves in this situation. in general, it gets brushed aside if it's even read and is considered another desperate ploy so the sender can get something out of it.

regardless of your true intentions, she's not going to see it as you just want to keep being friends. she's going to see it as you want to keep being friends so that if you catch her in a weak moment she'll finally give in.