Search Results: interpret his real feelings

So one of my closest friends is a guy. I've only know him for 3 years, but we constantly talk. The other day I mentioned one of our conversations to another friend of mine. They thought from certain things he did, he may like me. I was shocked.
When we talk, he usually does make suggestive comments, but I pass them off. He does it to everyone, but he's joking. When I first met him, he gave me a nickname and it stuck. He never used my real name. In these past two months however, he's begun to change that. He constantly is making new little pet names out of my original name, or even just using it. Another thing is that he questions my feelings about him. Most of the time he is joking, but I think there could be a serious undertone. It's usually things like "You know you love me, don't deny it." Then an added, "I wouldn't judge you or anything if you did." Once, we were talking about a girl we both know. I said she was more attractive than me, and he immediately said no, and very seriously informed me that I was prettier, and if I don't believe him on anything else he says, believe him on this. It's baffling me. According to him, I'm his only friend who's actually a girl, and he talks to me about everyone he finds attractive. It's almost like he's placing me in a "friend-zone", while trying to crawl out of the one I might have put him in. I do like him, but I don't think I have the nerve to admit it.
What should I do? Do you think he likes me? I'm very confused whether or not he's just being friendly. Either way is fine with me, I would just like to interpret this situation.
Thank you for responses in advance.
-P. S: If you answer as a girl, that's fine as well, I just aimed it to guys. All input is wanted.