The line between friends and lovers

I never had a true (close) friend before, but this year I met someone with whom I really get along well. I feel a strong connection between us and I know around that person I am a bit different but in a good way. I am straight tho, and she even has a boyfriend but sometimes I feel like a want to hug her and be more close to her (protect her and talk to her too), something that never happened before because I'm a cold person. Do you feel like that around a friend of yours, might this be a really strong friendship or...?