Does marrying your best friend trope really work?

My parents are searching for a partner for me to settle down with. I (F24) am a working woman and will be turning 25 this coming January. I have a guy best friend whom I met during my college days. We have been friends for about five years. He's my go-to person whenever I feel down or happy. Even though the time we've spent together in person is limited, we have always understood each other and shared our life updates through a long-distance friendship.

Recently, I experienced rejection from a guy who ended up proposing to my best friend. I had mistaken his kindness and affection for love. At present, some of my friends are suggesting that I consider my guy best friend for marriage. While I do have reasons to consider him, I also feel that we don’t share many common interests or goals. Additionally, he is very afraid of his dad.

I am feeling very confused about whether I should talk to him about my thoughts or wait for someone else.

Edit 1: We both had feelings for each other but didn't confess until we moved on with our lives. This happened two years ago. Now he has shared with me that he felt jealous of the guy I had feelings for.