Define the relationship or forget him?

I would tread carefully. I wouldn’t just stop texting or talking to him, as you are still friends so I see no reason to ‘unfriend’ him due to the circumstances as it could harm the bond you’ve built together thus far and been able to maintain during the distance. I would hold back on your emotions however, and refrain from saying anything to him about your ‘feelings’ in regard to him dating or not. He’s single, and your single, and have to respect he does have the right to date others, no differently than you do, at this point-in-time.

I would wait until you return. Let him set up a ‘reunion’ somewhere in public, such as a pub for a couple drinks, and light lunch if it goes really well. Keep your emotions in check, and don’t throw him in a pressure cooker but just lean back and carefully listen to his words, and then watch and observe to see if they mesh up on a consistent basis. Carefully watch for words such as “us” or “we” as that’s often a sign he’s seeing you with a different lens, and will start the process of developing a future picture with you in it.

Let the man lead, and patiently watch to see if he starts building an emotional bond/connection with you, whereas, he will plan a lot of time with you outside of the sheets; or say things “I really really like you (which could mean “I’m starting to or am falling in love”), starts using the words “us” or “we.” He is viewing you with a different lens and will naturally start the process of building a new picture with you in it. When a man feels pretty certain he’s falling or has fallen in love with a woman, he will start the process of showing you what he’s seeing to the point you can see it taking shape and forming because he’s the one painting it clearly enough for you to see.

Of course that picture may never develop or materialize which is why you really need to keep your wits about you, remain skeptical but also be able to reveal your emotions when *he* opens up first. For instance, when he tells you “I really like you.” The best response in these situations is to say “Awww, I really like you too.” with a light touch on his arm…that’s it. Don’t drill him (ask him why or what it means), just continue to be breezy and playful as this is how you show a man its *safe* for him to open up and reveal his feelings to you without being worried you’re going to read into (analyze) everything he says or interrogate him if does. In a nutshell, carefully listening to a man (BELIEVE THE NEGATIVES) will provide you with far more information and intel on how he truly feels about you v. talking about it.