If my guy friend has started touching my hand, touching my arm lightly, leaning in to me...

[Anonymous]

sitting close to me, laughing at all my jokes, telling me how awesome I am, once he grabbed my hand.. is he giving me signs that he'd like something more?

These behaviors are pretty new over the last several months.

[PonyCar]

He's testing the waters. Don't let him go any farther than you're comfortable with, especially if you aren't interested in him. Some guys will go as far (into the realm of inappropriate touching) as they can.

[palek]

He's working his way toward touching you inappropriately. Don't you have any brothers or cousins who can maim him or permanantly neutrilize his genitalia?

[Racez]

It seems that your guy friend is beginning to be attracted to you, and wants to convey his feelings directly and physically.