Ok, so I met this guy last week and we hit it off and he invited me out for drinks. I decided I wasn’t good to drive (I did not intend to get drunk on the first date, I know that’s a bad move and I’m kicking myself!), so he drove me home. When he pulled up to my apartment and I unbuckled my seatbelt, I looked up at him and could tell he was about to kiss me. I leaned in closer but somehow something came over me and last minute jerked away and went in for a hug. He ended up kissing my cheek and it was super awkward. I’m pretty sure he just said, “oh.” I wasn’t really ready to kiss yet, maybe that’s why I had that involuntary reaction, but I feel realllyyyy stupid! I got out of that car as quick as I could while still trying to be polite.
(Sidenote: I think I could have reacted that way too because my last relationship was all mind game-y and he would always demand or force a kiss on me whenever he took me home, so maybe it was just like flashbacks to that or something.)
Anyway, the next day I texted him in the evening telling him I had work off tomorrow in case he wanted to hang out. I usually don’t initiate texts but I felt like I had to communicate that I was still interested. He texted back soon after saying he had work but should (if he wasn’t too tired) be hanging around a particular neighborhood afterwards with some friends and he invited me along. I had fallen asleep and didn’t respond yes until the next day when he was already at work. Then later he sent a sort of cryptic text saying he was actually just going to watch a tv show (that I also watch, but he would have no way of knowing that) with a buddy and that his other pals were out and that we should maybe meet up later in the week and do something outdoorsy (as we had discussed on our first date). It was a weird mixture of information so I just said that that was cool and I would be down for some exploring.
I ended up going to that neighborhood anyway, to hang out with a friend who lives there and watch said tv show (because he reminded me) at a bar. Anyway, after the show finished, I got to my car and started to drive home. I was at a four way stop when the other car stopped for a second and then drove on. I’m not 100% sure, but I’m almost positive it was him. We were headed in the same direction, but he made the light and I didn’t, so I never got to investigate (I know that sounds creepy). I have no idea if realized I was the other person in the car. He does know what my car looks like, but I have a common car, so who knows.
Anyway, I don’t really feel hurt that he ended up in that neighborhood anyway. I feel that maybe it was just miscommunication or he ended up getting coerced by his friends to go out. Maybe if I understood him better I could have invited him to watch it with my friend and I.
But I haven’t heard from him since I texted him back saying it was cool if he bailed. I’m wondering what he’s feeling since I dodged his kiss. Confused? Hurt? Rejected? Should I keep pursuing so he knows I’m interested? I am going bowling with some friends tomorrow and thought about inviting him? I want to be clear that I don’t want this to be platonic. I want to date him. I REALLY like him, and I think he really likes me. It would be tragic if it ended because of something this stupid. What should I do?
