I like my best friend

Hi everyone, pls give me your opinion.

Me and this guy have been best friends for about 5/6 years, I know him so well by now. For the longest he’s been trying to take me out but I adore our friendship so much that I never took his offer. He sleeps with so many females a lot of females always hit him up. I never cared tbh.

But now I’m starting to be a little open minded of trying it, I’ve just always been afraid to ruin our beautiful friendship. I love him so much and I’m just so afraid of messing things up.

I’m 24 he just turned 28 and I feel like I still don’t know “exactly” what I want and he’s telling me he wants to settle down already. Him being 28.

All I’ve been thinking about is how would I be able to do it?? So many females blow up his phone. What if it doesn’t work out???

I’m more afraid because I’m not 100% sure and I feel like since he’s my best friend I owe him that. Only pursue if I’m certain.

Thoughts???