It is a hard thing for men and women to be "just friends," because it can be a sticky wicket; not only because of the male-female connection, but also because a lot of people don't understand these kinds of relationships. They always think there's something going on when there isn't, and when you say, we're just friends, people nudge each other and wink and say, yeah, sure, whatever.

Not knowing all the details, it's hard for me to say. It sounds like you get along fairly well. You have to decide if she is worth your misery. It's easy to say, well, I'm miserable, I'm getting out, and harder to love through the pain. Only you can decide which is better for you. Her not being ready for another level doesn't necessarily mean she doesn't value you, or wouldn't want to move on later.

cheers---- Kim