What did he mean?

[star70]

I met a guy a few months ago through mutual friends and we have become very good friends and have a strong connection. We talk for hours and laugh too. When I met him he was dating someone for 3 months which ended 3 months ago. He still seems a bit bitter about it but is moving on. The woman was not the greatest as we are in the same social circles and she is the type that messes people around, I'm surprised he didn't see through her ways. Last night we were messaging and I said I felt so hot which he replied 'Feeling hot 😀 you are 😉 just teasing around with ya.' Is this meant to be a joke or is he disguising the fact he likes me?

That was a flirty comment and the way he backed off with just teasing shows he is either not serious about taking things further, he is testing the waters with you and doesn't want to blow things off if it's just friendship.
I wouldn't say he likes you based on this. Guys can fancy having sex with a woman without liking her as a person. Guys can want sex as a FWB or ONS thing. Guys can say sexual comments when they really like you as a person.
It's is likely that he thinks you're shagable whether he actually would have sex with you or whether he wants a proper relationship with you is a different story.

He didn't see through his ex because he was thinking with his dick and his sexual attraction to her clouded his judgment. His bitterness about her is a red flag though.

Lots of people don’t see their partners shitty bits because they are blindsided. I wouldn’t berate them. Let his past be his past. Of course he’s bitter he had a relationship end!

Gentle flirting with a get out clause in case your reaction was OMG thats so inappropriate.

If you're interested try a little flirt back, if you're not there's no need to react at all. He's looking for clues and changing the subject will tell him all he needs to know.

Yup, sounds like he wanted to compliment you, but he was a bit worried how you'd take it/if you'd want the compliment, so he was cautious with it.
How did you respond / did it go from there?

I said 'Thank you for the compliment 😉'.

Then he sent me a screenshot as a guy told him the same evening that he was a good looking guy. He said it creeped him out.

I asked if he was ok and I said 'That guy is right. You are a good looking guy! 😀' I wanted to make it clear I am interested.

He wanted to call me last night after I sent that but the message he sent asking to call got delayed so we didn't get to talk as I went to sleep. It hasn't put him off as he has messaged me again today.

Awww sounds like you're both going in the right direction then - best of luck to you both! :)

Gently flirty I'd say.

How did you react?