Should you tell a guy you have feelings or leave it?

I was casually seeing a guy for a bit over two months. He told me he’d recently got out of a long term relationship (which ended in September, so very recent), and we agreed to be casual as he said he wasn’t after another relationship. I agreed and said I’m not ready for one too due to a similar situation on my end. Happy to take things slow.

Here’s the thing, we acted like a couple, went on actual dates, met some of his friends and roommates, stayed over his place weekly and we had lots of sex. It started to feel like it was more than a weekly hookup, chatting about life, calling each other and texting daily. I was going to end it two weeks ago because I felt feelings developing for him, and I didn’t want to mess it up. But then he beat me to it, and said he doesn’t want to lead me on and thinks it’s best if we are friends right now. I feel silly because I got emotionally invested into something casual.

I didn’t tell him I had feelings for him, and just agreed with being his friend. But I don’t know if I can just be his friend without being hurt.

Should I tell him I developed feelings, or should I leave it?