I've had women that were in each of those categories. Here's what I think is the difference - at least in how I've interacted with them.
"Just a friend" - talk about things, do things together, help with things but rarely if ever discuss very personal things or deep feelings. Sometimes go days or even longer between interacting. Not much physical contact.
"Close friend" - more discussion of personal things and deep feelings, more frequent interaction and some interaction almost every day. Somewhat more physical contact, but friendly contact like hugs or reassuring touches but nothing sexual. Maybe an occasional flirty comment, but not many. Asks questions about your love life or what you like in a relationship only when relevant to another discussion you're having.
"More than a friend" - like close friend, but with more questions about your love life and what you want in a relationship, possibly more flirty comments, possibly more physical contact or more romantic contact. Maybe seems to be trying to impress you.
I can speak for myself. I like having girl friends. Girls are just more fun. Lol First off i will not keep you guessing and I will tell you what i want. I am pretty direct that way. But i am usually friendly no matter what i want from you Jacques it is who i am and my personality.
If I want to be just a friend i will talk to you greet you with a hug or a hand shake. Any touching is usually stuff like touching your arm to assure you when you need comfort. I may put my hand on your back if you need to cry or a sign i care. Holding your hand to show you i care.
A close friend would be close to a sister to me. I have sister and we fight and complain and we pick on each other. If our relationship has been elevated to this be prepared for some pranks and teasing. But it never involves anything sexual. We may hug even cuddle but we would go no further.
More than friends involves opening myself to you more. It is very scary for me. I have been hurt many times by my exes and my last ex was toxic and made my life and health very bad. To open up to you for more will take me some time. I may tell you what i want but it will take time to fully allow me to trust you. Will that mean you can not get inside? No it just means you may need to work harder to convince me and be that person i know i can trust.
As for saying i love you, i say it to all of my friends and family. It has nothing to do to getting in your pants or wanting more from you. Too often people like to separate it from everything. I believe love is universal and eternal so saying it to me is real and justified. I try not to hold it back from anyone. It is not right to do so.
I think the biggest indicator that he wants to be more than friends is when a guy makes physical contact frequently. Even if it's just touching your arm or putting a hand on your shoulder, the despite for some sort of physical contact says a ton.
You have to put these thoughts into his mind because you won't know until you start behaving differently. Some girls are dumb because they try to find out his intentions early on and he might just be into your physical attractiveness.
You can tell on his mannerisms. He treats you differently than he treats other girls. He goes out of his way to be around you and always treats you well.
If you like him, you tell him how you feel. Then you will find out how he feels. It can feel embarrassing but that's what guys deal with regularly asking girls out. No one wants to deal with that, but someone has to do it.
If you don't like him, then don't worry about it. If he feels something, he'll either say something or he won't.
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