Search Results: ask her out now or wait

A guy I was casual with started acting differently for the last couple of days I was with him - he put less emphasis on sex, and wanted to take long walks, talk, wach a movie together, cuddle... We also talked about our values, ideal partner and vision of the future, and we're really compatible. I would take this as him liking me.

BUT, this was the first time I experienced "slow love /like". So despite showing clear signs of liking him, I was so focused on not being in love that I thought I had no romantic interest in him, and told him that. When I came back home, he ghosted.

I asked if everything was okay, still no reply, but he kept tabs on me by viewing my every story and status. I decided to remove him from my socials and delete his number. But it felt wrong doing it without saying goodbye, so just before deleting his no., I messaged to say goodbe, also called him out on ghosting and immaturity (worded in non-accusatory manner), and mentioned I liked him. Suddenly he replied with a smiley, said he was ohw home, and that he would get back to me later. But... he ghosted again.

Today I was talking with a guy friend who was sure he liked me, and we realized this might have pushed him away: (note he's 25, and I'm in my early 30s)

while we were talking about our visions of the future and the right partner, I mentioned I don't want to wait anymore. I meant I want to find the right person soon, and not settle down (I have things to take care of before that, which will take some years). But it might have come off as the latter given the context

Now this is bugging me, and I really want to say something (maybe a couple of weeks from now). But I don't know if he would still ask about it or ghost (see below)

What would you do in his place?

1. Would you still ask me about it after I told you I liked you, despite thinking I was ready to settle down? So to clear the confusion

2. Would you rather ghost to spare your own feelings because you were sure I was ready to settle down?