i have many female friends, and have no sexual interest in them, i can say they look nice and what not, but i dont crave their naked bodies so to speak.
i have another friend, shes kinda weird by definition, she has a boyfriend, but she surrounds herself with many male friends, her boyfriend doesnt mind this because he friends with most of the guys, but she feels like she always needs to be around a guy, when i was in china she was there and other friends, it was our group, her boyfriend couldnt come, but she would always have her arms around her other male friend because she appreciates the male attraction, but she would never date this guy over her current boyfriend, also the other friend has a gf.
its also possible for the fact thats shes quite short and all her male friend including me are tall, so it could be a sense of protection and comfort for her.