When/how to find out what he wants?

[Cirilla]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm back with a question about a guy I've gone out with a couple times (same as from my previous thread). We went out once a little over a month ago, spent a long time together on that day and seemed to click. We parted ways with only a hug, so I didn't know if he actually liked me since I was the one who suggested meeting up in the first place and neither of us said "date". After some scheduling snafus and some advice from my friends, I invited him to see a movie preceded by drinks a couple of weeks ago. He was there early and paid for me to get in (although we paid for our own drinks beforehand by my choice). Another good time, I stepped up my elbow/shoulder/back-touching game, another platonic goodbye.

 

So here we are, I asked if he wanted to do something soon and we're arranging to meet next week when he's available next. When I go into detail about the two outings and our other interactions with my friends, they seem to think he likes me. Without a kiss or hands-holding, all I've got to go on is little circumstantial things. We text a bit here and there but he usually doesn't initiate, although he "likes" my FB posts. He seems shy, not a player type.

 

I know I need to find out if he likes me and what he's looking for, and if these are dates. But when/how? Doing it over text probably isn't a good idea because text has no tone and it's an important subject. On the other hand, he comes into Irvine from 40 minutes away so the idea of asking him in person feels like a captive audience. What do you all recommend? How should I bring up the subject?

 

As for him paying for me last time, I had bought him a drink to celebrate his promotion at work the first time we got together (and he texted me to thank me the next day). So maybe he was just making things even. My guy friends said "hell no" to that idea, though.