How to read a guy's conflicting signals? Does he like me?

I think he does like you. His roommate/best friend, well he may not be comfortable sharing this side of him yet (cause I figure he's at least curious), thus the different behavior. The text about dinner, well what I got from reading it was this; I can't go tonight, it sounds lovely though (as in, I really want to but can't! F*$K). I'd say don't give up just yet. Don't text him today, do it tomorrow. Go hang out, and see how it goes. If he's being overly flirtatious, by the end of the night ask him what's going on. Is he into you or not? If not and you want to continue to be friends, ask him to act a little differently cause you're getting mixed signals. If yes (which I think so), either be romantic and plant one on him or be cly and ask him out for an official kind of date. Good luck.