I don't like hints too much, because sometimes you can never really tell what's a hint and what isn't. Some things you think might be hints could be totally the opposite of what you thought. Some people might flatter you, but then that doesn't mean they like you.
I think it's worth taking the risk of telling this person. If you keep it inside, you'll keep wondering "what if?" instead of "why not?". Rejection is a part of life and if you get rejected, yeah that sucks but there are other fish in the sea as they say.