Oh God where to start. I want to keep this short. (Edit- sorry, it's really not).
I met someone online in May - we connected just chatting and have met up maybe 7/ 8 times altogether. He's not local so it usually involves a 1.5 hr drive. Nothing physical has ever happened (no more than holding hands and a bit of snogging lol).
Although he's different in lots of good ways- intelligent, modest, easy to talk to and interesting - and not bad looking - certain things have put me off him and now it's just a flat nope.
My problem is my inability to be upfront and say no. (having said that- twice now I have told him, admittedly via text, that I do like him etc etc but don't want to see him - I'm too tired/busy etc especially for a long distance thing and also I told him exactly what I'm like when we first started chatting, ie that I REALLY like being on my own and find it hard to commit, etc etc.).
So I have 'broken it off with him' twice now! What a drama for 8 dates.
My problem is that he phoned on Monday- after I'd been very clearly avoiding texting/speaking to him for a while (I kept missing his calls) and he suggested that he gets an air BnB near me on Friday (tomorrow). To see me as a friend. He has told me he finds it very hard to want to be just friends, after I suggested that a while ago.
I KNOW I'm unreasonable not to have just said no on the phone. But I didn't. I was aware- and so was he- that I sounded very un-keen (he sort of laughed about it) and knowing what I'm like, he asked that if I decide against it, to please phone and not send another of 'those texts'. I've been avoiding the phone call because I'm a coward with these things, but I had just composed a text (and not sent it) when he text to say he's booked somewhere to stay round the corner from me, tomorrow.
Now it's too late. Ironically, I feel like I've got flu (just did a COVID test as I feel as bad as I did with that ) - obviously that's a good excuse but he won't believe that will he?
Not sure what I'm asking really. Just some helpfully kind words would be great!
(I don't need reminding how unfair/unassertive I clearly am....as I already know :/ )