<human>: Can you provide a brief rundown of the text in within 3 sentences?

Over the past month, I've found myself falling completely in love with my best male friend.  Our friendship is great even though we live a distance apart.  We communicate daily, we visit constantly (including week long "vacations" to each other's house).

I've been considering, seriously, just outright asking him if he wants to be more than friends.  But I also know him well enough that it would make things uncomfortable if he doesn't reciprocate.  So I haven't said anything for fear if breaking a friendship.

Meanwhile, he has been sending me mixed signals that he might be thinking the same thing.  -A few times we've been out walking and he has sort of curled his arm around my waist and pulled me close, but he says it's because I "look cold".  -He was telling this story about a past fwb relationship, and said that sex was too uncomfortable, like sleeping with his sister.  Then he sort of motioned and said "like if you and I hooked up".  -He talks about his relationships a lot.  He will say how he has dating on hold until he finds the right girl, how crazy and possessive his one ex was, etc. -constantly calls me "the exception to all the rules" when talking about female friends. -Is constantly poking me, giving me back rubs, tackling me.... Enough that other people think we are dating. -Listed his favorite physical characteristics in a woman.  None of my physical characteristics were on the list.  -The last time I visited, insisted on tucking me into bed.

There's a ton more, that just leaves me baffled as to how he feels.  Meanwhile, he has been sort of threatening to get back together with his one ex, who won't let him have any female friends.  Last nights text said something along the lines that he doesn't want to date her, but doesn't want to be single anymore.

How can I test the waters to see if he is actually reciprocating my feelings?
<bot>: crush on best friend.  Mixed signals back.  How to not break friendship but see if he likes me back?