Flirting

Why is he careful not to touch me?

So I have a friend that i hung out with a lot out drinking. When drunk he would tell me I'm one of his favourite people and I'm really cool. But because he would always get very drunk i never saw him as anything but a friend. He has now quit drinking and as such we dont see each much anymore but when we do its very comfortable and relaxed. And now i very much enjoy hanging out with him. A few people have told me that he likes me BUT when we are together he seems very careful not to touch me. We watched a comedy show (that he paid for and then told me he got me a ticket) and he sat with his arms folded the whole night so he didn't touch me. He gives quite a bit of space when we walk next to each other. He will never sit next to me on the same side of the table, always across. Last time he sat slightly skew away from me as well. We always hug hello and goodbye but one night i held on just a few seconds longer and he seemed fine. The next time i hugged him goodbye he seemed to hang on a little which i wasn't expecting and i feel like i broke the hug early. Also when he goes on holiday he always brings me something back. And a few times i feel like he has held eye contact for quite a while. But he seems very careful not to touch me and i dont know why. I wouldn't mind seeing where it went but even if we stay friends im quite a touchy person but i feel like i need to be careful now too and i actually dont know how to be around him. Do i touch him or no? i know that not touching etc the body language says he's not interested but i feel like he's careful, like its conscious. so what now? Do i pursue or hang back?
Why is he careful not to touch me?
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