Why would she say she wants to like me?

I have had a crush on my best female friend for two years. I recently told her, in a letter, how I felt. she told me she was REALLY REALLY moved by what I wrote. She then said she REALLY wanted to like me. she repeated this multiple times and then revealed to me that she had been in a heterosexual relationship gone awry that made her feel she was lying to herself; that she was a lesbian. I don't know what to make of what she said because although I know all hope is lost I still am in love with her. She said she loved what I wrote, that she really wants to like me, and that she cannot because she is gay. Why do I still feel like I want to be with her even knowing all hope is lost? And why would she say she wants to like me and still not like me? I mean I understand that, but I cannot fathom why she would put it that way. I am hurt, confused and unable to shake this feeling of wanting to still perservere.

all hope is not lost im sure. if you wants to like you then maybe you should just give it time. dont do anything crazy though