Decline a date from colleague?

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I have a feeling my colleague will ask me out soon. I'd like to be prepared on what to say in advance. He offered to walk me to my car today. I was so worried, he'd ask me then, thankfully he didn't.

I'm currently in a very messy divorce. I have 6 year old DC. No time to do anything other than work and look after DC. Not in a position to date at all. I need to get my life together. We are also very different and things will never work between us - I already know.

I do find him attractive, polite, kind, caring and smart. He is also very well regarded by everyone at work. He is in a more senior job than me.

I know going on a date is no big deal but I don't want to engage in anything.

I want to be very polite and respectful as we'll be working together long-term and will see each other almost everyday. What can I say please?

You tell him you don't date people you work with

That's a very nice offer Dave, however I never date colleagues. It could get messy. And my focus for the foreseeable future is my child. Thank you for asking me though.

I like this. Thank you.

You are massively overthinking.
Most likely he won’t even ask - as
he has to be stupid in this day and age to ask out someone junior to him.
But of he does - you just say no. And that it’s not a good idea to do it at work.

You are all grownups.