I like this boy

It's a shame you like him but he likes your friend. You could be unselfish and ask your best friend how she feels about this boy, and if she says she likes him, you could tell him that. Or you could tell him to do his own dating work. Or you could do and say nothing (That's what I would do).

You should tell the boy he needs to talk directly to the girl he likes and leave you out of it.

If your friend starts talking to you trying to get you involved in this kids game, tell her she needs to talk to him.

I'd say "You need to do your own work on this. But I think you are fantastic, so she might think about it because you are so cool."

That covers all bases.

That means that if he asks her friend, and she says no, the boy will choose our friend above as second best? Way to build self-esteem, I don't think!