This isn't because I like him or anything, it's just that I haven't properly expressed my thanks.
Dude, treating him to a meal and thanking him there was
plenty enough for him. You're just using it as an excuse at this point.
And while I kind of get MC's lack of self-esteem and being worried about not meeting expectations, trying to blatantly
not meet their expectations and make them lose interest instead of just, I don't know, be honest and say they don't want to get involved in a romantic relationship, is such a backwards move that I don't know where to
begin how dumb that solution is.