He comforted me after I got rejected by a job, I am melting.

So I (19F) was hanging out with this guy (21M) I’ve been friends with for a few years. Nothing romantic ever happened between us, we’ve just always been chill and comfortable around each other.

Anyway, yesterday I got that stupid rejection email from a company I did three rounds of interviews with like I literally poured my heart into it and felt so confident. As soon as I saw the subject line, my stomach dropped. I guess he could tell something was off because I tried to brush it off but tears were already forming 😩

He didn’t make it awkward or tell me the usual you’ll be fine stuff. He just scooted closer, let me cry, rubbed my back a little, and kept saying things like "You’re allowed to be upset. You worked really hard." And idk why but hearing that just made me cry even more.

I’ve never looked at him like this before but now I can’t stop thinking about how safe I felt with him, how gentle he was, how good he smelled and how I kinda wanted him to hold me longer.

Should I ask him out?