My boyfriend 39/M and I 47/F have been together just over 2 years. On Christmas Eve, he told me "I love you" for the first time as I was leaving his house for the evening. I happily and immediately said "I love you, too." The next night, Christmas, he said it again as we finished exchanging gifts. Of course, I said "I love you, too." He also said it 2 days later as we went to sleep. Every time, I said I love you, too.
Since then, he has not said it again…at all. While that by itself does not mean he didn't mean it, he has also twice said "You're lucky I LIKE you…" not "lucky I LOVE you". (This was in a joking manner referring to doing something for me, like bringing me a specific lunch at work, for example). It is the combination of using like and not saying "I love you" again that has me…confused and honestly, a little bothered.
What could be some possible reasons for this? Could it be because he's now waiting for me to say it first? Did he not mean it? Did he feel it at that moment but now it's gone?
While I realize what makes the most sense is to have a conversation with him about it, I am not ready to do that yet and am instead asking you, redditors.