Hi all. New comer here and so sorry to post such a gloomy post on what is - here anyway, an equally dreary horrid afternoon, but I do need some words of help.
I'm 50 and have quite recently been separated from my partner and father of my child.
Trying to cut a long story short..In my street there's this bloke who lives a few doors down from me. He's also been single for about a year. I used to be somewhat friendly with his partner. One day though, I saw her outside and she told me that they'd split up and she had moved out. They have a young child also who is adorable. Over the past few months I found myself becoming increasingly attracted to this bloke, he's about 5 years younger than I am. He's tall, very masculine and ruggedly handsome. Over the past 7/8 months he and I have gotten to be good friends. We'd go for walks together, locally. We'd exchange humourous texts, visit each others homes [always with kids]. Take the children out to adventure parks together etc. WE wee never intimate in anyway but I sensed a spark between us. He asked me once when my birthday was, I told him the date and he said that it was two days after his ex's. My birthday came and I didn't get a happy birthday text from him. I was disappointed.
I guess that should have told me all I needed to know, but rather stupidly I'd see him again and get that all over all warm feeling once more. The other day I saw him and he was all smiles and asked me what I was doing for Xmas. That he and his child would be around and we ought to get together and do something. Now although our relationship never consisted of any physical contact. I fell for him. I actually got the distinct feeling that he liked me too, as he was always a little nervous around me and always smiled lots.
Last night though, out of the blue, he texted me to ask me if I wanted to come around his place and have dinner with him and his new girlfriend, who he said is much looking forward to meeting me. I was, to put it mildly, taken aback by this. I politely declined, wished them well and said 'some other time perhaps'! Truth is - I was and am heartbroken. I couldn't face sitting there smiling and making small talk with them both with a huge lump in my throat, wanting to blub. He was nice with his response, saying 'no problem, yes, another time' that sort of thing. I really liked him and I know he's done nothing wrong - he just doesn't want me.
I'm not asking if I'm being unreasonable as I know I am. I just feel so stupid, deluded old and ugly. I'm been in floods this afternoon. I know it's idiotic and childish and I ought to know better but can someone offer a bit of help a few words of support would be lovely.
Thanks for reading.