Overthinking, Overreacting or all the above?

Hello everyone!I've been thinking how to word this for over three hours. Still can't even think how to even begin. So I've decided to cut out the minor parts and it's made things a bit easier. So here's take 6.There's this guy that I used to work with, we talked here and there but not much, partly because of work. I had a crush on him but I didn't act on it because I thought he was straight and I didn't want to destroy a possible friendship.He eventually quit but found another job in the area. He would stop by to meet up with his friends and I would sometimes stop by his job but at this point I had buried my feelings deep down.Or so I thought until a mutual friend let it slip that he was not only gay but single. Which launched my feelings out of their grave and into the sky. And then they came crashing back into me...I'm not sure I want a romantic relationship with him. I know it's presumptuous of me to assume that's what would happen but I'd bring lying if I said I wasn't hopeful. However, I'm very partial to the idea of having a gay friend. I don't have many friends and I've always wanted to have a gay guy friend to confide in.And now with the possibility that I may have someone I could connect with my mind has been racing. But I don't know which direction to go in.I don't think I should approach him because it was a secret he entrusted to our friend.We aren't good enough friends that I could just go up to his job and ask him to hang out without it seeming weird.And even if I were to, I feel like my feelings and motives are basically soiling any chance at having a healthy, long-lasting relationship.Did my attraction for him really die out? Do I only like him because he's the nearest gay? Am I letting my wish to have a friend like me cloud my vision and place him on a pedestal?I'm not sure what to do, I feel like this is a rare opportunity but I don't know how or if I should take it.Help?