Is this a brush off?

[Shad0wcat]

After some advice about whether to follow up on a guy I really like or if you all think it's a dead end.

Background is that I'm a single mum of teens and recently bumped into a man that I used to know from a long time ago, before kids etc. At the time I think we had a strong mutual attraction but nothing happened beyond lots of long conversations.
I bumped into him at an event a month or so ago and he recognised me and came over to chat, and gave me his number.

We exchanged a couple of polite messages and realised we were coincidentally going to see each other at a connected event this weekend - but each going separately with friends. We spoke briefly at but it wasn't really suitable for chatting (though I suspect he could have made an effort to find me if he really wanted).

The next day I sent a quick message just saying how nice it was to see him briefly and telling him something funny that happened to me on the way home. He replied a few hours later telling me about how his evening had gone and then finished off the text by saying he hoped to see me at another event soon.

Tbh, it is very unlikely that I'll bump into him again randomly as we live in different cities.
I guess this is a polite brush off which is sad. As you can tell I'm really out of touch with this sort of thing - the last time I tried dating was before smartphones!

@notagainski @mondaytosunday thanks, I think the general consensus is he's just not interested. I'll put him on the back burner for now and lick my wounded pride!

Then why are you expecting him to?

I missed out on dating at least two women that I fancied because I was shy and never got up the courage. They both told me years later that they'd expected me to ask me out, and that they'd have said yes.

Hell, even DP had to give me a nudge. We'd ended up snogging in a club one night and I'd gotten her number. I contemplated texting her all week until a mutual friend told me "X mentioned she's a bit disappointed she hasn't heard from you". 17 years later, I'm very glad he passed the message on.

In short, if you like him, ask him out. You've only yourself to blame if you don't.

He made a point of saying 'see you at the next event'. I would of replied that that could be a long time off, then left it there, either he'd come back with a suggested meet in between or if he leaves it, he's not bothered.
What it means depends on his his point of view which others can only guess at. Either it's a brush off, or because you've bumped into each other a couple of times close together, he might not think it will be long before you do again, unless it's specific events that he knows will be a while off going to again for either of you, in which case, we are back to a brush off.
As you say he was cooler on the 2nd meet, perhaps he's met someone in between.

@Bobbotgegrinch I know myself well enough by now to know I'm a complete coward and that will never change! Glad it worked out for you though, you're a braver person than me and it paid off!

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