to wonder if there's more to this coffee invitation?

[MaiaRindell]

A male colleague has asked me to meet him for coffee at the weekend. He is working temporarily at another branch of the company so not someone I have seen often for the last six months or so. He is very nice. We usually have a laugh if we work together. But I have never seen him socially and I don't speak to him often.

He confided in me that he and his wife have separated. He says he doesn't have many friends he can speak to and would like to chat to me about things. I am divorced so he'd like to "share stories". I am meeting him on Sunday. It never occurred to me that there was anything more to this than him looking for a friend. I mentioned this to my friend who says I'm being naive, and she asked me why he'd choose to go for coffee with a single female he doesn't know that well. Now I'm questioning it.
I realise I sound like a teenager here, but I am now confused and doubting my take on this. I know his wife too and would hate to feel awkward.

I'd go as a friend but would rehearse my responses to all possibilities in advance, so that if it seems he's wanting something more than just a bit of company and someone to chat to at the weekend because he's bored/lonely, then you are well prepared to tell him it's a no go!

He has been separated for six months but he wanted to be discreet. i Bumped into him last week and said hello. We chatted and he was friendly as funny. It was a few days later that he sent me a message. I wonder if, now single, he maybe saw me in a different light. Or maybe he was feeling low at that moment and I thought I'd be someone he could speak to. He is not a flirty type or shagging type.
I am going to go and be his friend whatever the motivation. I just would like to feel prepared.

This is why men are often lacking in friends or someone to confide in. I think it's really sad if a man who is struggling can't go for a coffee with someone of the opposite sex and chat. If he is interested in something else, he's not going to jump you. Just go and see how you feel. He may just be feeling very low and isolated and think you might understand. If he does want something more, surely that is up to you?

certainlymerry I am happy to be his friend - in fact that is how I took the invitation. I know I'm at no risk of being jumped! I just wondered if I was being naive in assuming he was just looking for a shoulder to cry on.

The more you post the nicer he sounds. Even if he does partly want a shoulder to cry on, it sounds like he is also good fun and another time he could listen to you too.