Friend zone: Yes or no?

So, way back in the day, I had a massive crush on this one friend of mine. Back then, she was actually seeing someone else, so we just ended up becoming really close friends instead.
Things drifted a little bit after we finished high school since we both headed off to different colleges in different cities. We finally grabbed coffee again recently, but honestly, the vibe was just... off? It’s hard to explain because we usually get along so well, but there was this weird tension where neither of us knew what to make of it. To break the ice, we started emailing each other—you know, those long, heartfelt messages where you really dive into things. During one of those exchanges, I finally bit the bullet and confessed that I used to be crazy about her.
We even started swapping life updates and resumes.
Now I’m stuck in this total headspace of indecision. Do I ask her out on a proper date or not? I am terrified of losing her as a friend if I come on too strong and she reacts badly, but at the same time, I can't help wanting something more.
I swear, I get so flustered whenever we hang out. She did tell me that she feels super comfortable around me and actually prefers hanging out with just me rather than being out in a big group.
I was thinking about telling her something along the lines of, "Look, we're great friends, but I can't help wondering if there could ever be something more between us..."
What do you guys think? Should I take the leap, or should I just let things stay exactly as they are and keep her as just a friend?

I don't really see what she has to be upset about. I mean, maybe she's just scared. Honestly, you should probably just tell her: either speak up now, or stay quiet for the rest of your life.😁

I mean, I don't think she’s going to get angry or feel weird about it if you play your cards right and don't go overboard. Just, I don't know, maybe avoid dropping those heavy "I love you" bombs out of nowhere? There's always a chance she doesn't feel the same way, and if you scare her off like that, you might end up losing her as a friend entirely. It’s risky. I guess it’s better to just drop a hint that you're interested in something more. At least, that's what I would do.

I didn't actually intend to make this some big, emotional declaration of love if I went through with it...
So, what do you guys think is the best way to handle this? When should I actually pull the trigger? I'm pretty sure I'm going to go for it 100%, but I'm wondering when the perfect moment is...

Well, just tell her when you truly feel that spark; it doesn't really matter where or when... I guess you don't need all that over-the-top romantic stuff, sunsets, starlight... blah, blah.