ITS DIFFICULT...How do i find out if he is intrested without just asking him out right and spoiling things?

i dated a boy i met at work when i was 16 and he was 15... it was not serious we use to spend time togethrr alone and with mates and we was great 4 each other then 8 months later i felt i was too young to meet someone now and called it off... he neva went out with anyone untill 4 years later which was a 4 year relationship. i had travelled gone out with other guys and we all ways once every 4 or 5 months text to see how each other are, just recently he has been texing me alot more than normal and found out his not with his girlfriend anymore and i am not with anyone i am now 26 and he is 25 i really want to be with him again as i think we were meant 4 each other but dont know how to find out if he feels the same way without ruining a friendship we have had for over ten years?? we have been out 4 drinks and so on but its just general chat. what do i do???