As for respect, one should be respectful to all people, regardless if wanting to date them or not. If you want to know a good way to find out where she stands, the best way to start such a conversation is not to say you have developed feelings for her if thats the case, you just say that you are beginning to have stronger feelings for her. That way, she won't feel so awkward to let you know she doesnt feel anything but friendship with you.
Its sad but true that some best friends, have one who is secretly in love and stuck in the friend zone cus the other never will have those feelings and tho as stated in forced marriages, people come to learn to love each other, its still not the ultimate "in love with" along with passion and such and when that is missing from a marriage, often, one or both can easily find themselves distracted and pulled easily away by someone with whom they do have better chemistry right from the start.
As for the recipe for the most successful life long , long term relationships or marriage, it comes down to two basic foundations in the relationship, one is being the best of friends with each other and the second is being sexually compatible. What I mean by the last is having that chemistry and attraction and passion for each other, having similar likes and dislikes sexually, having the same libido and this is how much or little sex will satisfy each person. I had the high libido and husband had a low one in the first marriage and we didnt have that attraction and passion for each other, hoping it would develop but it never did and I stayed with him through raising our kids. His dissatisfaction with the situation in part led to him being abusive of me as well instead of looking for other women as others might have done.
You get along well as best friends so half the recipe is there. You just need to find out if she feels anything for you. If you want to, you could even ask, "Since we're such good friends, I've been wanting to ask something and there is no right or wrong answer, just be honest and let me know what you think. I was wondering how we would do together if we were dating. I know friendship is important in good couple relationships and we have that. What do you think? Is that something we should give a try cus I would certainly be open to it, to see where it goes.
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