Generally speaking, I was in a similar situation with a friend (but I am female and my "crush" was male), and when I simply could not take the build up of pressure, desire, and a need from deep within to tell him how I felt and what I wanted in our relationship, I just freaking told him.

Like you, we hugged every time we parted. One day, as we were hugging goodbye in my apartment, alone, I said, "I love spending time with you" as I had many times before, and after he replied, "ah, me too" I added, "but I don't just love spending time with you, [Anon], I love you, too."

I'm sure there was a smoother way to say it, but I was so nervous and I just had to tell him. He reciprocated on the spot. And our relationship began to evolve on that day. That was a year ago last month. In the last year, we've been closer than ever, and we're still growing together.

There's a sample scenario. I hope you can do something about the feelings you have. The hugs, the jokes, her comment about you being the best, and the time you spend together as well as her acceptance of your gentle forms of physical contact all point in the right direction. Find out what's there. Find out how much there is between you.

Tell her, and good luck.