Reply To: “What Does He Mean by ‘Let’s be friends for a while’?”

I agree with all of the above. An additional key piece of info is how you (and presumably he to you) phrased his breakup with ex: “he just got out of a two year relationship two months earlier, when he moved to my town for his new job.” So, the breakup was geography-based, not the result of incompatibilities or a huge fight. He seems to have decided that he still wants his ex and wants to try to keep that going, despite distance.

I think you were a pleasant surprise in a new town and he genuinely likes you, but you are not #1 in his heart. He truthfully said he just isn’t ready for a new relationship. You are his backup plan, at least for now.

You shouldn’t lock yourself in place as his backup friend. MOA and date others.