Potential DTR talk tomorrow: My (F32) FWB (m34) that’s been acting distant, suddenly has become very proactive and responsive after he asked for a talk? Am I getting my hopes up?

So basically I’m seeing someone casually. He and I have known each other several years and it’s been an on again off again thing. Never had the dating conversation officially, although we reconnected late summer after his last relationship - which had been a surprise to hear about. I asked him at the time why he hadn’t dated me (as through the relationship, which had many ‘breaks’, he had often expressed he really wanted to see me) and he said he hadn’t really seen it going anywhere with me but had maybe pidgeonholed it. At the time I said that I wasn’t gonna pressure him to get into a relationship immediately but that eventually we should talk about it. I think it is clear that eventually I would be open to exploring more.

Since then we’ve gone back to seeing each other very casually - once every month/three weeks, but it felt healthier and he was also more consistent with his communication.

Here’s the thing. Around about Christmas I started to think it was time we talked. Ironically, the whole of last month, I’ve been vocal about meeting up, initiating the conversations, and he’s been sorta distant/more inconsistent. Not like extremely so, but when I made a playful dig about him neglecting me, he apologised and said he’d been keeping a pretty low profile.

Anyway we’ve talked a bit since then, mainly me instigating, but he is responsive and continues the conversation. I was out of town last week and had said I wanted to meet up when I was back. He said ‘next week should work’ and then we were on and off talking etc, about skiing, cats, my trip over the next couple of days. I stopped responding because I got caught up in my trip. On Sunday I sent him a pic of me at my holiday destination and told him I was back home and my availability. This, he didn’t respond to.

Fast forward to Wednesday. I message him this:

‘Hey baby, didn't hear from you but wanted to see if you were still down to meet this week. I'm free tomorrow now, too X’

He reads it almost immediately, but responds a couple hours later with:

‘Sorry babe yeah l've got some work drinks tomoz but will try and call, I wanted to chat and just check and see if we're on the same page atm just a few questions in my head’

So I tell him:

‘Noo worries. Yeah I think that's a good idea, I would like that. Been feeling like it might be good to check in in that respect. But tbh would prefer to do it in person if you’re down. Curious now haha’

Here’s the twist.

Ever since then? He’s been SO attentive. He suggested days to meet up, apologising twice when he realised he initially suggested a date he wasn’t actually free. It is SO rare that this comes from him.

When I asked him which neighbourhood (his or mine) he said mine. When I said let’s decide the specific bar closer to the time, he said ‘sounds good’. I left him on read and then half a hour later he text me telling me what time he was free. Bear in mind we are meeting FOUR DAYS from when he asked this!

We agreed on the time and I made a joke saying it would give me enough time to change out of my work from home tracksuit. He then was like ‘haha we can move to 7.30 if that gives you more time’. I responded saying 7 was fine and that I was looking forward to seeing him. I put a kiss emoji at the end. He responds ‘oki doki’ and two kissy emojis. I left the conversation there, and then yesterday he messaged me AGAIN asking if we could push back to 7.30. I agreed, ended up suggesting a place, and he was happy with my suggestion. He asked how my week had been and then told me that his work was a ‘real shitshow.’ I told him about my work and asked him how come his was so bad - at this point he didn’t respond but to be honest, it was a Friday and he was out, so not really that big of a deal.

I know this sounds bizarre but is all this a good sign? I am worried I am getting my hopes up, and that he simply wants to reinforce that this is casual. But this level of attentiveness is a little out of character for him, as usually all of this planning side of things comes from me.

Also, in the past, he’s actually become more distant if he gets the sense I wanted more. In fact , if he was seriously worried, in the past he wouldn’t have agreed to meet in person. He might have even ghosted me (okay, I guess the first time I told him my availability he left me on read, but that’s the first time he’s left me on read since we started seeing each other again). Now he’s using kiss emojis, is insanely proactive about planning when to see me, and offering info about his life unprompted (shitshow job).

What do you think might be happening? Do you think it’s more likely that he is open to the possibility of deepening our connection? Or does this change in behaviour not mean anything? And how do I express that I want to explore a deeper connection with him without scaring him off/implying I want to suddenly jump STRAIGHT into dating. I just want to have fun with him and see what happens but also see him more regularly and less last-minute, so we can connect a little more.

(Extra context: he’s the only person I’ve ever liked romantically. I don’t do dating. He knows this. But I’m worried my lack of ever having been in a relationship is a dealbreaker)