Search Results: he tells people i'm just a friend

He and I had feelings but turned me down citing his complicated relationship. I could tell he wanted out and something was off about the relationship. Anyways, so I stepped back and created this cold distance between us.
Fast forward 8 months, he has broken up with her and is single. He had started showing interest in me few weeks ago but I didn’t know that he is single so I didn’t give him any response.
He flirted when it was just two of us but ignored me totally when people outside of our core friends group were present. I found that strange so I stopped talking to him and he tried hard for a month by acting very nice to convince me to talk to him again.

I can tell he is interested in me but isn’t making a move. I want to tell him that my cold behaviour was simply a response to his behaviour. I’m confused if I should also tell him that if he is interested now that he is single then we can get to know each other.
Because of our history, Im scared to say anything about interest now and don’t want to embarrass myself. I have read that a man pursues a relationship when he thinks it’s his idea. Should I wait for him as he is still interested?
please suggest me what is right thing to do. Thank you!