My Secret Crush Is My Regular Customer

Hey everyone! I've been working as a bartender at this cozy little pub for about three years now. It's my happy place; it's where I can meet people from all walks of life and have some seriously amazing conversations over drinks. One day, a guy named Alex walked in with his usual group of friends. They were regulars since the pub first opened, but there was something special about Alex that caught my attention. He has this easy smile that just lights up the room and makes everyone feel welcome. Since then, I've been looking forward to seeing him every week. Now, here's where it gets a bit awkward: Alex always comes in with his friends for their regular Wednesday night drinks session. They order their usual round of beers, hang out at our long bar counter, chat about sports or movies, and just enjoy each other’s company. And I end up serving them and chatting as well. But here's the thing, whenever Alex is around, my heart races and I feel this weird flutter in my chest that only happens when he walks through the door. It's not like I'm shy around him; we chat just fine when they're all there together. But something feels different now. Like this quiet crush has been growing over time. I've tried to keep it under wraps because I know Alex is probably dating someone else or even married for all I know, but lately, the thought of him makes me feel giddy inside in a way that's just... well, exciting and kind of embarrassing at the same time. It’s crazy how much he means to me now without even trying. So, here's my dilemma: Should I go for it? What if we end up becoming great friends outside of the bar but nothing more because there's no romantic spark? Is that still better than pretending not to notice him and missing out on a possible connection? I know this is a lot to take in. Can anyone give me some advice on how I should handle my crush on Alex, or am I just being overly dramatic about all of this? Thanks for reading!