>As I've never dated I can't be certain, but it seems to me that we're doing everything a dating couple would do except for having physical (and intimate) contact with one another.
Here here:
OP: "Hey, have you noticed how we're doing everything a dating couple would do except for having physical (and intimate) contact with one another?" grabs hand or whatever in hand range
*Situation 1 = fail:
OP's romantic interest: pulls away "errr... yeah, I don't think that's the kind of relationship BLAH BLAH BLAH"
OP: "haha okay, I was just wondering" [game over]
*Situation 2 = win:
OP's romantic interest: doesn't pull away "[whatever he can say]"
And from here you're on your own.