What does he mean by this?

I was dating a guy for practically the whole year. He has a small kid that I never met. I was his first real relationship after his divorce years ago and he wanted to to at his pace and I let him. Regardless, we were so good together, but he ended it saying that although we’re good, he just doesn’t feel as if I’ll ever meet his kid. He was persistent in his answer for a bit, then said he might need time to really think about it. He did for a few days and said it’s probably for the better. I met up with him once after that for a few mins and he hugged me and started crying, saying he was so sorry and that he likes me so much. The other day he called me on his way home from work so I could keep him awake. We talked about it more and he said this time apart might be good for him and make him realize he does miss me, etc.

Last night he was texting me. We were joking around and then he said when I was gone on a trip he missed me a lot multiple times. I thought he was maybe drinking so didn’t think much of it. This morning he ended up texting me saying he was sorry for falling asleep on me. He said he couldn’t believe he stayed up so late. I told him it was because he was texting me and he said “see, I was up late texting you :)”. I told him I was surprised and he asked why and I told him I just was. He sent another smiley face and said he always talks to me. We’re still texting after and he’s asking me how my day is going, etc. Now I’m confused on what he wants. If he wanted just friendship why would he mention that he missed me when I was gone on a trip last night and cont. to text me today? I want to ask him but I’m scared I’m going to scare him away.