Need an outside opinion. does he like me or being nice?

there is a guy i work with at the sheriff depatment. both of us are kinda really shy. we have a mutual friend, who found out when he caught me starin. long story there. but anyway, when me and this buddy talk, the guy i like (call him frank) will watch us talking occasionally, or even walk past the door a time or 2. he sometimes picks on me in a joking way. occasionally he is my supervisor, (acting sgt, but not official title) and he comes around doing his rounds, he will usually back me up when doing tickets on inmates. (as long as its within reason). when were standing around talking with other officers, sometimes a topic will come up, and he will mention something about himself like, " yea im a hopeless romantic, like the whole sunset beach thing" (he was joking with a deputy then, so idk if he was entirely serious) or he will mention hes 24, likes mac n cheese with bacon, u know, just occasionally put his 2 cents in. we have a christmas party comin up on the 18th, i asked him if he was going, tryin 2 get a convo started, maybe see if he would maybe wanna hang out then or SOMETHING, but he said hes not going cuz hes gotta work the next day. when he talks to me, he will look me straight in the eye, and when i have candy layin around, like peppermints or starbursts, he will say, "hey im stealin a starburst" its driving me nuts, my brain wants to say yea he likes me, but its also tainted cuz i really like him. i appreciate ur time in reading this, and any insite would be well appreciated. im trying to get the courage to make a move, but i dont wanna scare him, and im not to sure about what is maybe going on inside his head.