What if you also have romantic feelings for that someone? What if that friend of yours happens to be a guy who "has romantic feelings" for every other woman you two meet? What if Jeremy was the one who told Ian he's got romantic feelings for Lena, how many players do you think would turn down her persistent advances towards them out of respect for their bro's feelings? Or even refrain from pursuing her themselves? (ohai Cindy)I disagree with this. If a friend says he has romantic feelings for someone then it should be understood that that someone is off limits.
Ian's "romantic feelings" for a girl he's barely interacted with and knows very little about are a crush or infatuation at best. The only real reason they're being put on pedestal is Ian is the MC.