put aside that male pride if you want to be friends. personal
experience... i was a dick, didn't talk to this friend of mine for
one and a half years after i was rejected. that was 5 years ago.
before i met my ex, we were the best of friends, and i still loved
her.
so.. seriously.. your pride is not worth losing the friend over.
take it easy, relax and just be friends man. who knows if you can
take it a step higher? i'd rather have a very close friend than a
gf man.... and relationships start best from friendships. i think
anyone here would tell you that. 
