Does a lingering touch mean that he's interested?

[Anonymous]

I really like a guy I've met recently. We've been flirting and chatting, and our relationship has improved over the last week. The thing is, he has a girlfriend whom he's been with for just over a year. He says that they love each other, but she's moving away next year and doesn't know if he could do long distance. (Doubt perhaps?)

Anyway, the other night when we were together he came up behind me and put his hands on my shoulders and kind of grasped them for a split second, then lingered for a bit... It felt like more than platonic, but now I'm confused! Would a guy touch a girl like that if he wasn't interested and had a girlfriend? He did it in public in front of people we know.

I feel like I'm getting mixed messages because he's taken. I like him, but don't want to touch him whilst he's in a relationship.

[Longshot]

He could simply be interested in you. In truth, you don't know where he stands in his relationship with his current girl. It may be ending or on the downswing.

Your best bet is to wait and see, and then when you think the time is right, tell him how you feel. There is nothing wrong with telling him that you're interested in him and you know that he has a girlfriend. Your intent is not to get in the way of that relationship at all but if the relationship is ending you would like to spend time with him when he's ready. Keep it lite.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps not interested, since some guys don't mind going for these small touches with a girl.