Need a ladies advice

Ok this is my first ever post here and I need some advice there is this amazing guy I work with we are awesome friends but I've admitted to him I really like him and would love to give dating a shot but he told me he doesn't date coworkers I suspect its cause of potential work drama if anyone there ever found out see he has autism and is very forward with his answers sometimes he sits with me at lunch and we strike up the occasional conversation but most times he's just siting there eating or on his game when its me and two other girls ( both engaged and he knows that ) we talk like crazy but when its just us me and him we barely talk but befor he leaves to clock back in he always hugs me every time without fail and he walks up to hug me almost any time he sees me I don't know what he's doing its sending mixed signals or am I just taking it wrong im thinking the latter simply because I wanna believe something is there I need an unbiased opinion and some advice to maybe set his mind at ease with me show him im no threat please im drowning in these thoughts lol