How do you fall in love?

“There were books about how to be gay; he’d seen them in stores and libraries. Some of them even had diagrams. But there weren’t any diagrams about how to fall in love with your best friend and not fuck everything up.”
― Poppy Z. Brite, The Value of X

So, I fell for a man who is also a close friend. We sat staring into each other’s eyes. We held hands. We kissed.

I felt his warm skin.

And I received messages from him saying he doesn’t believe he feels as strongly about loving me as I do for him.

I’m disappointed. This morning, I’m picking myself up and dusting myself off.

We’ll still be friends. I’ll still be supportive and helpful and kind, and I’ll have a small place in my soul burning, smoldering.

What is love like for you? How do you fall in love?