I like my friends ex????

My friend and her ex broke up 2 years ago but used to have sex still after the relationship. She introduced me to him and a group of his friends at a little get together and the day I left, he texted me. He got my number from my friend. And she said she’s completely over him and that I can talk to him if I want. But at the time I told her that’s wrong and that I’m her friend. But I got to know him more and more and he’s so nice. He came over my house the other day and we just cuddled and watched movies. We stay on the phone for hours talking about everything. And now I like him. He told me he liked me the first day we met but I didn’t know. I was flattered but I told him why I didn’t feel comfortable with dating him because of my friend. He said he understands but still wants a friendship with me because my friendship means everything to him.... should I give him a try? This reminds me of the episode of grown-ish where the girls had a similar problem but they made up later on. Do you think I should talk to my friend about it and get her approval ? This has been eating me alive because I’m trying to be a good friend but what if I’m passing up on a guy that could be really good for me.