Should I try again?

So about two years ago I asked a guy at work out he turned me down. It was solely based on a physical attraction as we had never spoken before that really. He was single still is as am I. Anyways fast forward to the present and we talk at work all the time we joke and flirt and actually have become friends. So now I am all messed up because I actually like the friendship we have going on but since I have gotten to know him I realized the attraction has changed to the point where Ik in my gut that I would catch those gross feelings for him if we were ever to pursue anything other then friendship. My mind just races all day long asking does he maybe feel the same way and what would my response be if he was to say he is in to me. There is a big part of me that is like nah I would rather have the friend at this point but is that just out of cowardice fear or because ik he would just hurt me and I would lose the friendship and all the positive things that come from it? Idk what my move should be today I told him I dont want him anymore in that way to which he replied aww not even a little dont hurt my feelings. Then i said well I dont have day dreams anymore to which he said now they are night dreams. So idk what way my mind wants to go anymore. I just need something good in my life as its been a long year already I buried my mother a month ago and have just felt utterly alone and exhausted.