I am afraid my best friend is falling for me?

I have been friends with this guy for a number of years now. He is from another country and only recently moved to a country near mine. He is presently, seemingly dependant on my friendship with him. He is far away from home and I am his only friend on this side of the world. I have helped him find a place to live and with lots of other things too. He is a great friend and has helped me with things as well.

Last year the love of my life, my boyfriend of 6 years, suddenly and unexpectedly, passed away. I am still grieving over the loss and I am attending bereavement counselling to help me. I loved my boyfriend so very much and still do with all of my heart.

I am though worried about my best friend. We do talk every day, chat online. Up to recently everything was fine, but now he is addressing me as, 'my sweet amiguitaa' or' my sweet and dear best friend' and sending me lots of hugs. Flowers and teddy bear hug emotes.

He knows I love my boyfriend who is now deceased and how I felt and still feel about him. I know my friend is dependant on me for the time being.

It may be how they address friends where he comes from ( I do not know this but am just guessing!), I am not really used to that, especially from male friends. I have other male friends but they don't call me, 'my sweet dear friend.'

It only really came to my attention last night while saying good bye to him, that the 'hug' was of importance to him. I had sent him a pic of a squirrel, but he said all he wanted was a hug. (like a teddy bear hug emote)

I don't know what to think. Am I reading too much into this? I do not know how to approach this with him without hurting his feelings or making him upset.

Genuine question