How do I [23F] go about asking an old coworker [24M] on a date?

So a guy who I feel like I clicked pretty well with when he was working at the company I work at recently reached back out to me over messenger asking how’s it going. And we talked a little bit, but he just read my latest message and hasn’t responded.

I haven’t dated in a while and idk if I said something to scare him off. Last message was me saying I’m still a good drive from our general area of the job I’m working after he asked back if I’m still in the area.

He seemed like a pretty cool dude, and even not only remembered my birthday while we worked together, but got me a Furina figure from my favorite game. And had additionally been leaving Pokémon cards on my desk cause I was a fan all the way until he left the company.

Maybe I am just overthinking the whole thing and he’ll get back with me later and just got busy, but I’m just afraid of letting this opportunity go by. Is there a way I can keep the conversation going and hint at a date? Or straight up ask without being weird?

TLDR: Ex coworker reached out but idk how to see about asking him out after he left me on read or if I even should