How to interpret mixed signals from a long-distance friend I love?

Hi everyone, I need some advice. I’ve been talking to a girl for about 8 months, and I’ve developed strong feelings for her. It’s long-distance, mostly through chat.

Here’s the situation:

She flirts with me and says affectionate things like “Missing you already after I wake up.”
She engages in playful, emotionally intimate conversations daily.
Yet she often sends me Instagram reels emphasizing “best friend” vibes.
I love her and want to understand her feelings, but I don’t want to risk our friendship.
How should I interpret these mixed signals affectionate but still reinforcing a “just friends” narrative? How can I navigate this without pushing her away?

How to interpret mixed signals from a long-distance friend I love?
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