I have developed feelings for a friend (M30) over time. He has given me indications in the past that he might be interested in dating me, but I didn't want to get my hopes up too much. I have been trying to find the "right time" to tell him how I feel, but we haven't had one on one time lately, which I think is important (I don't really want to confess over message). Then a few weeks ago I invited him to an event with me and a mutual friend. However, he never responded to my message, which is unusual. My friend and I ended up going to the event, and we ran into him there. It appeared like he was on a date, which really threw me. We said hi, but moved on. I had messaged him the previous night about spending time with another group of friends on the following Monday. He responded. that night saying he hadn't got my messages and that he would be keen. He hung out with me and some other friends that day, things felt normal. He did not mention having a partner or going on a date, I am not sure if it was a date. Now, I stayed offline for all of Valentine's day because I just didn't want to think about him, I had a good time reading fiction in bed. He had messaged the group chat and said he was going to hang out with some of them around 6pm on Valentine's day. So that would indicate he possibly doesn't have a partner, but obviously this is not concrete "proof". I will see him in just over a week, unless I reach out to him and try to spend one on one time. However, we study together so I don't want to make things incredibly awkward before going back to school. I guess I just wanted to ask for some advice whether to tell him how I feel or not, and can give more specifics in messages if need be. Honestly, sometimes I just want to message him EVERYTHING but I know that I would probably come to regret that.
TLDR: Have feelings for a friend but he may now have a partner so I am not sure how to approach this and whether to tell him. It feels like something I need to get off my chest.