Search Results: ways to cheer him up

I went to the movies after a huge week at work - I hit the bar for one drink before a film and a shy but sweet bartender in this empty bar shouted me another. We got to talking and it felt comfortable. He asked me to hang back and talk more but I had a movie to go see.

Half way through the movie I got water from the shop next to him and I noticed that he kept staring at me and trying to catch my eye. I ended up walking past him and saying hello. He asked how the movie was and if I wanted to talk more. I said I should go back, wrote my number down and left with a smile. Mind you, I've never given my number out to a bartender. But to me, a bartender in a low-key cinema that is more of a coffee house, is different.

He messaged me while I was in the movie and I replied. Lots of smiley faces and giggles and compliments exchanged.

Then I got a strange feeling, due to his non availabilty for a catch up - I asked if he had a girlfriend and he said yes. I said 'take care' and left it at that.

Then he texted asking why I made it sound like I'd never see or talk to him again? I told him the obvious. I deleted his number. He texted a day later - asking how I am, how work is, etc. I said 'hey buddy! I'm good - cheers'. Left it very plain, made boundary clear 'BUDDY', told him 'take care' again (aka a polite way to say PISS OFF).

Ok yes, it was disappointing that he's not single, but I'm past that. My Question is: why did he stretch out contacting me, and ask me to visit him again etc, even after confessing he had a girl? I made it clear I wasn't interested after learning that. Then compliment me saying 'You're mature, I knew you were an amazing woman when I met you'. What was that all about?