How to handle this?

[Arlanymor]

Short story: was watching the rugby in a bar last week (15 minutes away from my home - was cat sitting). Ended up chatting to a nice, funny guy. Exchanged numbers. We texted once or twice - mainly about rugby (I’m not a massive texter) and I kind of let it lie fallow because my life is upside down at the moment. I’m possibly moving house on Friday but won’t know until Tuesday/Wednesday (rental) and it’s my birthday on Thursday! He texted today to ask if I fancied a drink next week… yes probably, but when?! Don’t want to mess him around but also not great to explain the situation as it all sounds like a mass of excuses doesn’t it? Even though it’s true! Kind of thinking to see if he fancies a lunch date on 1 March - past all of the nonsense. But also our saint’s day, so he may already have plans. Of all the weeks..! Help please!

Nobody celebrates St David’s Day so seriously they don’t go out with someone they fancy.

Just say “I would love to go for a drink - life a little hectic until March 1st, how about then?”

I like that text suggestion. I think because it’s a Sunday I just think that people might be with family you know, for lunch? He can only say yes or no I guess!

15 minutes away from my home - was cat sitting)

relevance?

It wasn’t somewhere I would usually go to watch rugby as not near my home. So not likely to randomly bump into him otherwise.

Lunch quite intense for a first date
he suggested a drink
go do a drink or a coffee

A lunch date but not lunch itself. Like a drink around 2pm or 3pm. We both have to work the next day so it can’t be an evening thing. But as I say on Dewi Sant he might he having a family lunch. It’s potentially a busy day.

Well if it’s not actually lunch, I probably wouldn’t describe it as a lunch date!

a late afternoon drink so even if family lunch plans… unlikely to intrude

I would go with the text suggestion above .. if you’re telling him you have a busy week you definitely need to suggest a date, otherwise he may interpret you saying you have a busy week as being a brush off. I think fine to suggest 1st March- if he’s busy he can just say so and then suggest something else. Good luck!

Offer a couple of dates then. "Next week is a bit hectic, so how about 1 March or another day that week?"

Sorry - I used the term lunch date on here but wouldn’t in the text - sorry if I didn’t make that clear.

Yes that’s how I was thinking too - suggest a date otherwise it looks like a brush off. Similarly with over-explaining why it’s the worst week ever timing-wise. All my birthday plans are cancelled and will probably be packing my car that night! Thanks so much, appreciate your kindness.

That’s a good idea to offer other dates - don’t know why that didn’t occur to me. Rusty much?!

Just got a lovely text back: Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant sounds good! Where do you fancy? Could come to your side of town?

Ahhh! What a champ! Now I have to remember how to dress up for a date!

Good luck with the date OP!