That's one way to look at it, soccerdad, and a good way true....but...k this may be way off base, but I do remember the OP...and it reminded me of myself and a guy I had a hella crush on in highschool. He was cute, funny, did the whole huggy, touchy thing...we went out, by ourselves and with friends...he didn't call me buddy but the term of endearment was very close to that...and generally seemed to be interested in me (and a couple other girls) but shy. Very shy.

I screwed up my courage (which wasn't easy at all, at that time) and on one of our hang outs...I asked him if he would ever consider dating me. He looked at me astonished...smiled his embarrassment and said, "I thought you knew...I'm gay."

I was gobsmacked. I tried to laugh it off, as did he, but things weren't quite the same after...had we been adults maybe we could have come back from that...but as teens...it was really difficult. We stayed friends of course, but I always felt a little foolish, because I had created this whole persona that wasn't really him, from his wonderful personality, and sweet demeanor.

I guess, I'm just saying, be careful....and make sure he would be interested in a relationship with a woman. Evidently, it isn't always obvious.