Is it possible to try to take my 27F relationship with a casual friend, 28M to the next level without scaring him off?

I am 27 years old. I live in California with my parents (although I went to college in Tennessee and graduated in 2023). I am autistic and have cerebral palsy.

In October 2025, so a few months ago, I visited Tennessee and I went on a date with Scott (28M). The way I met him was actually in 2018 through my ex-boyfriend (long story, but I don't think it's important for this post).

We had been texting back and forth (I was the one who originally react out due to loneliness). We texted back and forth. I let him know I will be in Tennessee in late October, and he asked me to go dancing with him at a country music venue! To clarify I CAN walk and even dance, it's just very hard - and even standing upright causes pain - but I do it when it's worth it, you know? My one flat foot and delayed movements can make me a bit awkward tho.

Anyway, I agreed to see Scott that day. I hadn't seen him for the last 7 years, so we caught up on how our lives had been. he had graduated with neuroscience and has a solid career now! Since my condition leaves me unable to drive, Scott picked me up from my hotel. I had forgotten my ID, and the venue was 21+ only. Unable to convince the greeter that I had already been 21, Scott and I decided to go to my hotel and get dinner instead.

It went well, it really did. But there was NO indication that he was interested in dating me. He even talked about his ex that he recently broke up with.

We still text sometimes, send each other vacation or pet photos, but I'm worried that he just sees me as a casual friend. Friends, even casual ones, are hard to come by for me, so I don't want to ruin my friendship by telling him I am interested.

Is there any chance that one day I'll end up dating him?

I consider myself reasonably attractive and my most common celebrity comparisons are Anne Hathaway or a young Adriana Lima (or a combination of the 2). So why aren't guys interested in me? 90 % of guys I met are rude and dismissive to me. The other 10% see me as a friend or sister who they feel bad for. All my friends my age are getting married and I am worried I will never find someone.

Anyway, going back to Scott, I haven't seen him in person since late October (but mostly because I haven't been to Tennessee since then). But is it possible to let him know I am interested without scaring him off? If so, what would the next steps be?

Tl;dr: I am interested in a man who seems to only see me as a casual friend, and this seems like a pattern for me in finding a partner.