Does he sound overly keen or is this normal?

[Anotherwalkaboutafterdarkitsmypointofview]

I've known a colleague for almost 2 months now, and we talk a lot. I definitely felt intrigued/interested by him, and recently he said we should meet up out of work one day.
I said yes and gave him my number to arrange it.
He texted me his number, and then I sorta continued the conversation.
Last Sunday lunchtime he said, I'm free tomorrow after work, no worries if it's short notice though. Otherwise I think I can do either Wednesday or Friday, but the weekend is pretty busy.
So we settled on the Wednesday as I couldn't do the Monday, and we were texting every day prior to that.
When I got home on the Wednesday he texted me asking if I got back ok, said he'd enjoyed it and then joked he was going to see X film the following night and I could've gone with him if it hadn't been quite a trek.
I sent one more message and the convo ended.
The next day (Thursday) he texted me just saying it'd be lovely to meet up again sometime next week after Monday if I was free.
I've told him I'm doing long hours but the truth is I'm not sure if he's coming across a bit too much/desperate or if this is normal interest?
He hasn't said anything whatsoever weird or been inappropriate.
When I told him I was busy he just replied 'ok no problem :) ' and we haven't spoken since.

of you believe ‘meeting up’ on a Monday is overly keen, please consider what laid back would be like

Agreed, he hasn't been over keen at all!

Guarantee he now thinks you're not interested, so if you are you should make some more effort to arrange something

I think it's because he said he was initially free the day after (even though he acknowledged it was short notice)
Then, he texted me first after our drink, and also the next day. I probably am being picky though.

For me, the issue would be less the dynamics of your message exchanges and more that he's a colleague that you've known for 2 months. You need to tread with a huge amount of caution because you're still getting to know him and you don't really know how things will work out (and his potential behaviour), especially as he's your colleague. So the consequences of things going south with him would be a lot bigger for you than if he were just a man you'd matched with online.

But to answer your question - his texting seems normal to me and what might seem as 'keen' appears more like interest (which is a good thing especially in the early days), rather than forced replies to keep up the charade.

When I told him I was busy he just replied 'ok no problem :) ' and we haven't spoken since I’m not surprised. I don’t think I’d bother chasing after you any more either.

I mean this in the kindest possible way, but do you have some bad experiences that have put you off dating? Or are you used to only dating men who message you maybe once a month and otherwise let you do all the running? Because he sounds like he has been polite, appropriate, respectful and attentive without being overbearing and he has taken your rejection (because that’s what it looked like) really well. I’m not seeing anything to be concerned about.

I think it’s lovely that he’s not mucking you about/playing “hard to get”. Refreshingly sweet that he’s so open about wanting to see you again tbh!

Exactly this. He seems to have found just the right balance between letting you know he’s interested and love bombing you.

I also think his reaction to being told that you’re busy speaks volumes. Friendly, no tantrums, no late night pestering texts.

What would be your ideal level of contact?

Thank you. Yeah, maybe I've been a bit too harsh.

You have already posted this question a few days ago with all the same details. You received a lot of good responses. Why post again?

Are you hoping to date him/potentially start a relationship?

Because he definitely thinks you do.

He likes you and is interested to take things further and he’s just letting you know.

If he’s moving too fast or you’re not interested then let him know.

If a man is interested in you he'll let you know. If you're confused he's not.

I'm hoping he's applying this logic to you! You're criticising him for being clear. I wouldn't date a colleague you have to see daily though.

What do you want him to do? Play some sort of stupid mind game with you where he pretends he isn’t interested?

Yes you’re being harsh! He can’t win!!

So you don't want him to want to see you again?

is this a rerun of the tedious thread late February with a different username?

I don't really see the issue. I guess if you saw eachother every day at work on top of the texts, it could be a bit OTT. But he clearly likes you, you seem to like him. But he probably thinks to back off now till you ask him out, or maybe that you just are not interested. It sounds like it's getting a bit complicated before it's even begun though?

So you don’t like him and don’t want to see him again? Just tell him then. Least he’s being honest and not playing games. I don’t see the issue.