yeah he likes you.. I think he is in love with you even, but is unsure weather to pursue it or not.

I think he's afraid of getting hurt, and just likes to place it safe. Or thinks that if he got into a relationship with you, it could ruin what the two of you already have, and he like to see you around, smiling etc.. it would hurt him if things went sour and you looked at him in disgust, do you understand what I'm trying to say???

If you feel the same way... (and you need to find out first if he does feel this way - so don't jump in with both feet lol) set up some personal goals or whatever and if he passes and you feel the same way, you need to let him know its ok...

I experienced nearly the exact same thing as you, but I knew I wanted this guy... I was waiting for him.... we would talk till all hours of the morning, he always looked out for me, the way he looked at me....

Then just one day life passed us by, I had a life he had a life.. I got a suprize phone call one night from him, it had been ten years on.. didn't reckonise him at first... I was able to ask him, what I should have asked him way back then.

His response was that he was in love with me, but he was scared... we were all young and care free at that time and he didn't want to hold me back, or ruin what we did share. He kinder knew how I felt but wasn't sure.

we laught about it and talked for hours, I was now single but had three kids, he was married had a son.. (wasn't a happy marriage) but we had moved on... both kicking our-selves now...

I again have lost contact with him, but don't let it happen to you, if its meant to be, it will be...