not only that but it feels much more authentic in person
plus they are left with the opportunity to screen shot your messages and show them to other people asking for advice on the situation before etc.
I would pose it as a hypothetical, or watch a movie together with a similar plot (friends turn into lovers) and then ask them what they think of the situation etc to test the waters - if they say stuff like, I WOULD NEVER etc, you'll know better where you stand.

HOW DO YOU TELL YOUR BESTFRIEND YOU LIKE THEM WITH BEING AWKWARD PLEASE TELL ME OVER TEXT.