i think buffy cared for spike from season 5 and i think they had a deep understanding and friendship by the end of s5 "you treat me like a man"

and i do think she loved him in season 6 and season 7, which is why i hate it at the end of chosen when buffy says "i love you" and spike replies "no you don't but thanks for saying it"
I don't know weather spike believed that buffy didn't love him, or weather he was just trying to make it easier for both of them
or maybe i'm just a deluded spuffy fan lol

what do you guys think?