There's a certain type of person who only keeps people crushing on them around for the ego boost and thus can't handle it when they move on, viewing it as a rejection of them as a person. Unfortunately, it sounds to me like your "friend" is one of those people. She kept you around because she was happy having you love her, despite her knowing full well she was never going to reciprocate and would string you along, and now that you're doing the healthy thing in finding someone who's also into you, she can't stand it. I'm just sorry you found out like this.

Did you break your losing streak? I know the young woman took an interest to you, but was your plumbing in order after years of disuse?

Well ain't that some red flags ah flying 😂 either your friend is madly in love with you and can't admit it to herself or she just kept you around for emotional or ego support. Time to have a sit down talk with your friend and find out what's going on with her. If she's distraught then she was most likely in love with you , but if she's angry, argumentative or dismissive then you were nothing more than emotional support for her ego. Good luck OP

If she isn't *genuinely* happy for you and wanting to meet your new Lady so she can talk you up to her, then she *isn't* a Friend. You go be happy and if she causes you any crap, cut her out the first time.