I usually always call my friend Savana "love" or "baby"

Like "good morning love!" and all "my baby is home!"

but recently I started calling her babe, like platonic-ally but if I were to say in public people were to think otherwise.

She doesn't mind it, she calls me it back.

I mean..it's o.k to say "I love you" to your friend i'm guessing this is o.k too