5 Signs your guy mate fancies you

An article retrieved from Cosmo Girl

In a fluster because you think your guy mate fancies you? Don’t panic, find out for certain with CG!'s 'does he? doesn't he?' guide

1. He helps you with difficult favours
So he's out repaving the driveway with your dad, hauling your books around college and wiring your house for high-speed internet access, all without a hint of complaint? Trust us - this guy wants to be more than a friend! He enjoys your company and doesn't care what he has to do, as long as it means he can be near you.

2. He never tells you it's too late to talk
You could call his mobile at 4am on a Tuesday morning and he'd say, "Yep, I'm up! What's going on?" before patiently listening while you ramble on about your college stress/cash crisis/pesky brother. The truth is, if this guy saw you as just a friend he'd never answer the phone in the middle of the night. In fact, he sees it's you and picks up straight away. Bless!

3. He's super-nice to your friends
Your best mate is deep in the throes of just-been-dumped angst and he's on hand to offer manly advice. Not many guys would spend time counselling stressed females unless they wanted to win points somewhere along the line. By helping your friend he's trying to become part of your everyday world. It's a well thought out strategy: his goal is to get your friends to say, "He's such a great guy - you should go out with him before some other girl snatches him up!" Clever - and sneaky too!

4. He never likes your crushes
This is a sure sign he fancies you. If you happen to mention another guy you have a crush on, be it someone he knows or someone he's never met, he'll almost always say you deserve better. Sweet as his protective attitude might seem, what he really means is, "Er, hello? I'm totally better for you than that guy. Be my girlfriend. Please!"

5. He shows his vulnerable side
If you're hanging out with a guy mate and he starts confessing his heartfelt fears, you can bet he sees you as more than a buddy. By telling you about the painful plight of his sick puppy or talking about the time a tricky maths equation made him cry, he's hoping you'll see him as an emotional being who's worth falling in love with.

If he's shown two or more of these signs he's probably into you. Don't panic if you're not sure how to respond, simply follow CG!'s foolproof tips:

IF YOU'RE NOT HOT FOR HIM
No more flirting, teasing or late-night calls! Instead, act more like a sister and he should get the hint. If he doesn't and he makes a move, apologise for any confusion but insist you want to be just friends. He'll be upset but it's better than stringing him along and possibly losing his friendship.

IF YOU ARE HOT FOR HIM
Ask him what's going on! He's already put in heaps of groundwork but he might be too shy to make the first move. Next time you're alone with him, be brave and ask if he's ever thought about being more than just mates. If he looks shocked and taken aback, tell him you were just teasing and change the subject. But if he smiles and goes red, chances are he's been waiting for this moment for a long time!