1. Well, it’s been a while. It might be worth the risk. You could tell him how you feel, but also save yourself from hurt as much as you possibly can in the process. Do not over expect things. Don’t expect him to say he returns your feelings or that he wants to get together. Remind yourself that this is a risk, but it’s a risk worth taking.
2. It sounds like the only way to get rid of these feelings is to cut off contact, but I know you would never want to do that with your best friend. If you really can’t cut off contact, the only other thing I can see that MIGHT work is trying to repress these feelings. That way, they’ll still be there unless they fade over time, but you’d have them under control enough so that they don’t get in the way of anything.
3. You shouldn’t envy anybody! Some people find love later than others, but that doesn’t mean they will never find it. This just means that maybe you won’t have to sort through 10 meaningless relationships before you find the right one for you. :)