Ok. Let's get into it. I recently started a new job 4 months ago, and that's where I met her. The first time we met we knew there was something there between us. We were constantly flirting with each other, and fortunately we lived very close, so we went home the same way together after work.

A few train journeys later, I asked for her number, and we started texting. It was from then, that she admitted she liked me and had feelings for me. Looks like I was about to hit the jackpot, right? Wrong.

Soon after, she then admitted to me that she had a boyfriend. I tried backing off but it was too late at this point, I got to know her so well to the point where I found out we had so much in common. Anyway, after speaking to her friends, I found out things weren't, and still aren't going well with her boyfriend. It's there that she dropped the friends card. She's going away for a year in a months time, so I keep wondering if things would have been different if she wasn't going?

Anyway, whenever she mentions us just being friends, she keeps saying "right now," or "for now, we're just friends." What does that mean? She's coming back from her holiday with her partner in two weeks, which is the decider stage. After that I have two weeks to make my mark. I don't know what to do. I wan't to look after her because I actually care about her but I don't want her to think I'm happy with us just staying as friends.

The past week has been horrible. I've tried accepting just being friends but it's too painful for me. Also, how can I know if the feelings she originally had for me are still there? I wan't to move on but the way she spoke to me before she told me about her boyfriend is what keeps me pursuing. Again, how do I know if those feelings are still there? She's offered to "hang out" when she get's back and I have so much to say to her but I wan't to let it in gently. I would really appreciate the help since I am so confused.

You sure have high hopes, but reality is she has a boyfriend, you are just a friend she happens to work with, AND she is leaving for a year, in a few months. Which makes plotting to start a relationship all your idea, and rather foolish.

Yet their you are ready to pounce if he dumps her boyfriend. Its bad enough to be stuck and confused, but to be hopelessly sprung is terrible. Leave her alone if you can't just be friends, buddies coworkers, till she leaves for a year.

Talk about hopeless romantic.

She's cheating on her boyfriend with you, emotionally. You'd rather be in this "maybe" relationship than move on and see who else is out there? She's on vacation with another man, sharing his bed, and you're wondering what to do to make your big move when she comes back?

So in the perfect world you don't care if she cheats, she obviously doesn't care if she cheats, the two of you end up together - and then what? She meets someone else on a train and pretty soon you're the vacationing boyfriend and someone else is home pining for her?

Presumably the boyfriend lives through the experience and at some point realizes you've done him a great big favor by taking her off his hands.

Or am I missing something?

She has a boyfriend. I would figure out what you would do if you were that boyfriend and your girlfriend had an emotional affair - and then that's how I'd proceed.