friends with benefits into something more?

i have been friends with benefits with a guy for over a year and a half now. it’s exclusively just that and nothing more. we don’t hang out outside of the bedroom, but we do consider each other good friends. recently, he invited me over to hang out and not to just hook up which is out of the blue for me considering that every time he has called me in the middle of the night is ONLY for hookups. he called me to hang out, smoke, and to just vibe. we did not do anything. don’t get me wrong, it was a great time!! but it also left me confused… because he went on to tell me how much of a good person i am, that i have a good heart, and that he hopes i find someone in the future that loves me and deserves me. i was curious as to why he would say all this to me and i was kind of in shock to even ask why he is saying all this to me. i did not want to read much into it either so i let it be. but obviously i don’t know the exact answer until i ask him. but all i know so far is that i know he meant all of it. would this possibly be a sign that he wants more?? to kind of lead the conversation in that direction?? i’m not sure how to read into this! help me plssss