To like or not to like.

There are no "tricks" to establishing a happy, longlasting relationship or friendship.  There are a few tips:  1.  You have to be yourself, and if he likes the real, authentic you, you and he will alternately initiate taking steps to get to know one another better.  Guys usually know when they are being pursued, and often get into "distancing" mode, frustrating to you, and, for him, your either feeding an ego trip you didn't volunteer for because he's "so hot," you are going after him, or, he'll feel hassled and you're pursuing him will put him off.  As to the meaning of his "short, noncommital" return text, perhaps he was surprised and uneasy one way or the other.  Communicate with him directlyou, and you will get a sense of whether he is interested or not.  Your interactions will be based on direct observation and real time communications; always best if you really want to get to know someone.   

Depending on how he feels when he perceives women as "after him," he may not like this, or, put you a context that is demeaning to you.  Relationships that are happy ones are built on trusts each person invest into the other.  He will trust direct, though not overly fast, or overly dramatic, interactions with you when he doesn't not feel you are trying to manipulate him into liking you ---- he either will or will not.  How do you know that you'll like him, anyway.  There is a process in determining whether either of you likes the other.  Slow down.  Talk with him without barrelling over him.  You will both benefit from practicing what are mostly what have been described here, good relationship boundaries.