What does the hive think of this dating scenario? Bail or one last throw of dice?

[usernamefromhell]

Please be gentle if this is blindingly obvious to you. But been "dating" someone I met online since just before New Year. Quote marks because in that time we've only actually had one date. Which was nice but quite brief and formal, lunchtime, 45 minute job. The interaction has been 90% text/WhatsApp and we have a really good rapport online, fantastic back and forth, tons and tons of daily messages, quite flirtatious but some not, same sense of humour, shared values etc. There was chemistry when we met as well. He has told me repeatedly he likes me and finds me attractive.

I'm slightly frustrated at the pace this is moving: I've dropped broad but light-hearted hints that I want to go on a "proper" date but he hasn't really bitten. For context I work full time in a very stressful job and have a DD and no help at all with childcare from anyone -- basically if I want to go out I have to use paid childcare so arranging dates is a logistical hassle and needs proper planning.

The other night he sent me a string of very amorous messages and suggested another lunch time date (we work within walking distance of each other). I replied in a way that made it clear in a fairly gentle but direct way that I wanted a "proper" date and not just snatched time during work hours. He was slightly abrupt in his response but has gone fairly cold since then, much more limited interaction and there's a slightly aloof edge to things.

Reading this back to myself it seems pretty clear that he's either withdrawing due to cold feet/preparing to ghost me, or that I have pissed him off in some way which I haven't realised and is sulking. It has also crossed my mind to wonder whether he's in a cohabiting relationship with someone which is why he's loathe to make arrangements to go on a "proper" date. He has a DD and I know he's not still with her mum but of course he could well be with someone else.

Question is, I guess, is this a total dead duck? I'm a big believer that chasing someone who appears lukewarm is almost never a good idea so inclined to just let it drift, but want a sanity check, I guess - wondering if there's any value in sending one lasts "cards on the table" message to clarify so I know where I stand?

Whatever his reasons, he's not putting enough effort in.

I would be tempted to ask him out for next Friday night, plenty of time to arrange childcare, then you will know.

This isn't normal behaviour, he should be chomping at the bit to see you.
I think he's got a partner/wife.
Don't chase him - you will regret it.

Why would you regret chasing him? You're asking him on a date, not begging him to spend his life with you

You may have implied that you want an evening date, but most of the men I know are as thick as pig shit when it comes to interpreting signs and meanings. Drop him a text, are you free to go out for dinner one evening next week? I can do X or X, if either of those days work for you.

If you don't at least try to see if he's interested, won't you always have a niggle there that you liked him, but he was maybe a bit blind to the signs and so you missed out on each other? Worst case scenario is he makes an excuse, and you're in the same situation you're in now anyway.