<human>: Can you succinctly summarize the text in 1-3 sentences?

Throughout my life I've avoided anything to do with romantic relationships, not wanting to "waste my time" with anything like that. I graduated high school without a single one, telling my friends I'm not interested in having one. (I know it's not strange to go this long without a relationship, I have no problem with that)

However, around August a friend expressed his interest in me, and we can't actually spend much time together for various reasons, although we do talk a lot. When we do hang out, we hold hands and such, but we've never actually been alone. We've both said we like each other, and we aren't at an actual "dating" status, but we've both said that there'd be almost no difference from what we already are. 

He is much more emotionally open than I am, and I have difficulty expressing anything, such as what I like that he does and why I like him. I'm afraid of going any further because I don't want to hurt him, I know he likes me, but I think I may just be interested in the fact that he likes me and that I make him happy. Closing off my emotions for so long has resulted in me hindering a potential relationship. What should I do?
<bot>: I've been emotionally closed off for years, having difficulty figuring out feelings that may be mutual with a potential relationship. Need help figuring self out, or what to do in general.