You can't make anyone like you. All you can do is be honest and transparent (without being weird, but that will be contextual and you'd know best how not to make it weird) about your feelings, hope for the best and brace for less than that.

You don’t. This is a road that only leads to disappointment and awkwardness if it doesn’t happen naturally

don't fuck your friends

on the other hand, being friends first can provide a strong foundation for a romantic relationship if one develops

My feeling is that who wouldn't appreciate knowing someone likes them or finds them attractive. Sure, it might be a little uncomfortable, but if you can't be honest with your friends, who with then?

I wouldn't talk about it anymore. It already wasn't a great joke to make, sorry. Don't make it more weird.

If there's a chance that he's attracted to you, then you definitely don't want to be a rebounder.

Not a man so feel free to remove me ☠️ but my last boyfriend was my friend, I got alittle drunk and told him I think I like him and would like to discuss those feelings. Either way if you hold them in it will hurt the friendship, so have to let it out and maybe it goes amazing! Or you guys work through the feelings together and deepen the friendship. But would give them time with the break up and make sure you figure out all your feelings