Confused relationship with a colleague

[Madness]

Hi,

I’ve been having feelings for my female colleague (who’s very kind-hearted)and had already told her about them. She rejected me but said we could be friends. A few months past and tried to be normal colleagues. I always greet her in the morning and when I leave work. But lately I’ve noticed when I say goodbye to her, she always had tears held in her eyes and her voice breaks when she responds. To add to the confusion, when we finish work at the same time, she always look for me and leave work together. 

I’d like to build my relationship with her preferably as partners or as friends, but not sure how to approach this.

Any help is appreciated.

[Wiseman2]

4 minutes ago, Madness said:

I’ve been having feelings for my female colleague and had already told her about them. She rejected me but said we could be friends. I’d like to build my relationship with her preferably as partners or as friends, but not sure how to approach this.

How long have you been working there? How long has she been working there? Are either of you in a supervisory position?

She said "no" to dating, so there is nothing to "build".

Be polite, professional but do not ask her out again or tell her your feelings. It's awkward and she could file a sexual harassment case because she clearly said "no".

[Madness]

We both worked there for a good few years now and neither of us are in a supervisory position. The bit I don’t quite understand is, say for that day we both we finish at 5pm, she will specifically wait for me and leave work together and then chat for a bit and walk together until we reach the car park.

[Wiseman2]

1 minute ago, Madness said:

 The bit I don’t quite understand is, say for that day we both we finish at 5pm, she will specifically wait for me and leave work together and then chat for a bit and walk together until we reach the car park.

She is being personable friendly and professional. There's nothing to understand beyond that..

[Madness]

Even when there are like 20 other colleagues in the same room leaving at the same time and she's just waiting for me to finish work?

[BaileyB]

1 hour ago, Madness said:

But lately I’ve noticed when I say goodbye to her, she always had tears held in her eyes and her voice breaks when she responds.

Have you ever reflected her feelings back to her? Tell her, you look sad. Is something wrong? 

[Madness]

Actually yes, I asked her about it once. She was going to say something then hesitated and changed the topic.

[basil67]

Poor thing.  Sounds like she's got something awful going on in her personal life which she's not ready/wanting to share.  Given that she's not particularly stable and not wanting to open up, now would be the wrong time to try and change the dynamic between you.  When the troubles subside, she will likely have more capacity to get to know you.  

In the meantime, just keep doing what you're doing.  

[Wiseman2]

8 hours ago, Madness said:

, I asked her about it once. She was going to say something then hesitated and changed the topic.

She has friends and family to talk to. It's unprofessional and inappropriate to pry. If she wanted to confide in co-workers or you, she would. Try to step back and date women outside of work.

[Madness]

Thanks for all the advice. I’ve decided to just carrying on doing what I’m doing and not think about it too much.