Facinating date possiblity

I've developed a really good supportive friend with a woman I have been in leadership with in our parent organization. She's trying to be my "life" and "dating"coach as I go through this transitional stage I am going through.

But, here's where it get's interesting. She is ALL that M is not. Whole, in and of herself. Emotionally healthy, I'm pretty sure. Independent as all get out. Her own woman. In fact, in a very real way, in her world (a city an hour from me) she's "larger than life."

There are definitely some aspects of getting involved with her that are daunting. One will know exactly where one stands with her, I'm sure. She's real comfortable telling someone to fuck off!

Anyway, as we've talked and shared and begun to really get to know each other, I'm trying to be careful not to jump to any conclusions or suppositions.... But, it really has become apparent that she's a little attracted to me, as I am to her.

She's also scared to get back into the dating game, and a little self-doubtful about her prospects and / or having "a bad track record" with relationships.

In a number of ways, I noticed a ways back that she'd been really trying to carefully direct my prospective dating thoughts ELSEWHERE. ("I'm 55" she'll say. "You need a woman who's like 45 and...."

Anyway, she is a super strong woman, yet I heard some interesting vulnerability tonight. Plainly trying to be careful to be a friend and a support, but not get into a situation where she might get burned, etc.

So, for my part, I told her, "Look, I'm in a transition. I need to get healthy in and of myself before I start trying to date anyone....."

I also explained the "bugaboo" I tend to have in making good, close friends with a woman and then being unwilling to take the chance of fucking up the friendship by introducing the weird dynamics of dating and romance.

I told her I don't know where that may lead, in regards to her. But for now, I was going to treasure this close supportive friendship, and I'll worry about the other possibility in good time.

And, I also let her know I already realized a while back she's a bit scared of getting involved / dating again..... She was actually kind of floored. "How did you know that?" I just told her that I read people really well.

The real truth of it is that I've picked up on her being interested / attracted. And, I've also observed that she's been trying to "redirect" thoughts and plans that I might have regarding dating and involvements -- away from her, and toward theoretical "others".

Anyway, bottom line is she's attracted to me and actively trying support me and NOT go beyond that for now.....