Please help, is catch-up a date?

[Anonymous]

I've known this guy from work for less than a year.

He initiated texting me at first, established conversation from mutual interests, and I could feel he was at some level interested in me.

After texting with each other for a few months, I asked him out for lunch, twice, both I initiated, and now he is open to the third one. When I say I miss him, he said 'we should catch-up next week'

What bothers me is he always uses the word 'catch-up' to describe my invitation to go out.

Is he just seeing me as a normal friend or there could be something more?

[teamvic]

Hmmm I say unless he's not showing signs he might not be interested then don't over think it. He initiated texting and is tryna meet with you a 3rd time so there seems to be some sort of interest there. So just don't worry about it for now

[Asker]

I broke the physical-touch barrier last time, and he seems comfortable. He is a few years younger than me (-5+), so not sure

[Asker]

Thanks for your genuine answer though

[DarkWinterNights]

It sounds like he’s taking things very slow and cautious. Personally I wouldn’t continue going out on lunch dates with a coworker I wasn’t interested in. Anything more than a one off seems a bit odd from a platonic point of view.

[Asker]

I think you made a valid point! Now I could understand why he was being slow and cautious as he told me about his past relationships (according to your opinion, now I think it is related); plus, I come from a different culture/country, and we have an age gap (I am older than him). Thanks for the insightful opinion!