At least... He not a serial killer? I have no idea how to fix this ???

So don't reply?

That sucks OP! Maybe he'll change his mind if you keep going on these "not dates"

If not a thing, at least a friends with benefits.

No...

There is somebody out there for you, OP. The right person will come along.

You probably dodged a bullet OP. Hope you find someone.

How does just liking OP as a friend instantly make him a "bullet"?

It sucks for OP but you can't force love/interest.

Maybe because OP won't be dating someone so emotionally tone-deaf.

Poster probably doesn't know what that expression means.

Emotionally tone deaf? Just because someone is romantically interested in you, does not mean you have to indulge them. It's pretty likely the dude has picked up on her feelings and used that story to defuse the situation in a nice way.

At least he doesn't keep you hanging with false hope

So, did you suggest friends with benefits?

Sorry but lunch with a single friend does not equal a date. Just friends.

That's what you get for assuming it's a date..

You sort of deserve it for expecting it to be a date sorry :/

Maybe he just wanted to make it clear how he felt right away so he didn't feel like he was leading you on. As shitty as it had to feel, I've been strung along before, and I would have rathered they were straight forward from the beginning rather than play with my emotions. Stay positive though OP, there is someone for you out there

Yeah he sounds like a good guy for being upfront.

Maybe he can be an awesome wingman and introduce the OP to someone. That'd be cool.

That's a good point. Seems a bit clumsy, but I can see what you're saying, if he thought OP liked him but still wanted to be friends.

If there's been some miscommunication here then he could also be under the assumption that OP doesn't have feelings for him and that is why he said this.

OP may have missed an opportunity.