Before you get too excited, are you sure you believe your co-workers? Are they speculating? Pulling your leg? Exaggerating? Could it be that he said something harmless like, "I really love having her on my team" or "She's so cute," but by the time it got back to you, he's "totally in love with you"? People tend to blow things out of proportion when it sounds more scandalous that way. I would make sure what they're telling you is accurate.
If he indeed admitted that he's in love with you--and an admission is the only thing that would prove it--your only options are to keep working there and try to ignore it, or quit. Which of those you choose depends on various factors, like how much you like your work, how closely you have to work with this guy every day, any history of creepiness from him, and so on.
You could go to your company's HR department and tell them that his confession has made it awkward for you to work there, but I'm not sure I would do that. For one, unless he confessed his feelings directly to you, it's hearsay, and he will deny it. It's also not grounds for sexual harassment unless he's hitting on you or threatening your job or has shown a pattern of inappropriate behavior--which you would then have to prove. You must remember that HR departments, despite what they may claim, ultimately exist to protect the company, not you. It would be in their best interest to downplay the incident if this guy has a clean record.
Is your company big enough that you could transfer to another department? That would be easier than quitting and having to start from scratch to find a new job, especially if this guy is the only thing you dislike about your job.
Other than that, I don't know what to tell you, except that you need to get to the bottom of it and find out what he really said. I'm still having trouble believing that a boss who values his jobs would make such an admission. I know it happens, and I'm not saying it didn't. I'm saying that you need all the facts, not hearsay, before you can decide how to proceed.
Thanks for the question.
Honestly? I don't mean this flippantly, but I don't think you're handling this in the most mature fashion. As far as I can read from your letter, it doesn't sound like he's pursued you or said anything directly to you. Just feign ignorance unless he actually does cross that line- for all you know, the fact that he's interested could either be completely false, or he could have no intention of actually pursuing anything.
If he does say/do something you are well within your rights to say you're not interested. And then if he handles it badly you would be justified in either pursuing a harassment claim or leaving your job, asking for a transfer, etc. Hiding under a table because you heard a rumor that he has a thing for you? I hope you're 16 because otherwise I think you really need to grow up.
Judging by her name she's 22 so maybe that would explain it? Straight out of college (I'm assuming) and new at a place of employment makes it difficult and scary when faced with new situations out in "the real world" :)
I see your point, Meg, but I think you're being too hard on the girl. Everyone reacts differently. We don't know the full context. It didn't shock me that she would be mortified.