I'm 26 and I haven't had a lot of experience with relationships. Apart from my ex who I was with for two years when I was 20, I've only dated people on and off. I normally use tinder to meet people. I've only ever been in love once (I think) with my ex and I don't tend to fall for people easily, which I think is a good thing. I feel really puzzled by two experiences with two different men that have happened over the last few months and I'm just wondering if I'm crazy or not... I'd like to get other peoples opinions on this if possible...
In April, I dated someone for two months. A nice guy, we got on well and had lots of things in common. I definitely liked him and could see it going somewhere. After two weeks he told me he loved me 
. I felt so awkward and taken aback (we were sat next to each other when he said it) that I just said it back, even though I definitely didn't feel that way. I didn't believe that's how he truly felt and just suspected that it was lust that caused him to say it. We decided to end things eventually and have kept in touch as friends, all good but still left me puzzled.
Last week I started talking to another guy. Again, seemed nice and we have a few things in common. We've been talking for around 5 days, conversation has been good so far but we haven't met up yet. We've arranged to meet up this weekend for a drink in a local pub. Tonight he just blurted out over WhatsApp "I love you xxx" I mean, WTF? I thought he was taking the piss so sent a couple of laughing faces back and said "you're joking right?", which in hindsight may have not been the best thing to do. I'm not sure if I embarrassed him. He replied and said "of course I'm joking" but he's gone very quiet now and it's all become really awkward. I sent a nice message afterwards apologising for laughing and said that I was still looking forward to meeting him this weekend and getting to know him, but it just feels really strange now and he seems to be a bit off with me (or at least that's how it's coming across as he's barely talking anymore and before the conversation was just so easy and natural). If it was a joke I'm not sure why he hasn't forgotten about it and just continued with the convo as normal.
Am I crazy in thinking this is bizarre? And surely I'm not heartless for not falling in love with someone after 5 days, especially when we haven't even met yet?