The guy I like at work has a fiancé and two kids. Advice?
It seems I am on the verge of breaking quite a lot of "rules" here and I need some advice. I got hired at a restaurant a year ago and developed a crush on one of the cooks. At the time, that was all it was: a crush on someone I didn't know. Then, as the months went by, I did get to know him and realized that I really liked him. Really liked him. I joked around with him a lot, and he did the same with me. I even got the impression that he may like me.
However, I soon found out that he was 24. Considering I am 16, I figured that may be a bit of a problem. So, even though I still liked him a lot (I had no problem with his age) I backed off just a bit. I convinced myself that he wasn't worth either of our reputations or our jobs. Yet, I still liked him.
Maybe a month after that, I found out that he had a girlfriend, and that not only do they have a son together, but she was pregnant. (note: I heard she has a ring, but he calls her his girlfriend to me) This just about broke me because I really liked him. But I thought, who gave me the right to even be "heartbroken" over this new information when the most I've done with the guy is flirt a bit at work. So, I tried to distance myself and save my sanity. Which didn't exactly work because I tend to waitress at least 5 nights a week, maybe more. That's almost 30 hours a week where I can't distance myself. I felt like a pathetic lost cause.
Yet, the months went by and I continued to enjoy his company (at work) despite common sense. Which brings us to the real reason I posted this question. Now that school's out, I've been working doubles almost everyday. He likes to point out that he sees me more than his own "girlfriend", which I suppose is true. Last week, he texted me for the first time and that led to a really flirty conversation. (note: he only has my number, and I his, because we're required at work to have all employee numbers) We basically told one another that we liked each other, and though it felt good to finally know where he stood, it made me feel guilty. He asked me one night what I wanted from him, because he was older and had a family. He said he didn't want to hurt me, but thought I was someone who he could talk to easily. I responded that I didn't want to ruin anything he had with his girlfriend/fiance, especially since they have a son and were expecting this month. He said lets just play it by ear. Which we had been doing until yesterday. His girlfriend's water broke.
We haven't talked since then and I don't know what to do. His mind should be entirely focused on his family, I know that. I realize that he's 1) older, 2) someone I work with, 3) engaged, and 4) a father. But I really like him. Though it may seem otherwise (since he's talking to me) he is a great guy. I don't want to hurt anyone, and he doesn't either. So, before this goes any further, should I just suck it up and leave him be? I feel like I should, but I don't know if I can. I need advice on this.
Thanks in advance for reading my novel and answering. I really appreciate it.