Is he flirting with me?

[amethyst79]

I'm 22-years-old and I have a (male) friend who's 43. We've been friends almost a year now. Lately, I've been feeling like he's flirting with me. He always seems to notice what I'm wearing and has complimented me a couple of times (especially when I wear a certain outfit). He's always teasing me (in a good way) and is very concerned about my well-being. Lately, I've also been running into him a lot in unexpected places.

I have a couple other male friends with that wide an age gap between us, but they treat me like a daughter (and I think of them like a father). Things are different with him, though.

I guess I'm just wondering if I'm reading him right. Thanks, in advance, for your help.

[anothersteve]

It sounds to me like he's testing the water. Giving a few compliments and stuff to see how you react. Maybe he's interested in you romantically but doesn't want to risk losing you as a friend if he comes on too strong. If you like him (and it sounds like you do) then why not start complimenting him occasionally and show a little more interest. If he is interested in being more than just friends then it will probably give him more encouragement and make him willing to take the next step. It can't hurt.

Steve