"I love you." A guy will tell you whatever it takes. And people are most often a sucker for that one.
"I don't feel that way about him." That alone should answer any question you have about this situation better than anyone else could. You can stop reading now.
He's wicked and overall quite the charmer. But aren't they always? Even a swindler had better damn-well know how to lay the charm on thick.
He's a source of joy in your life. He's a good friend. That's great. Add to that, he's currently doing a bang-up job at fucking that up for you. Which begs the question, what
else will he manage to fuck up in your life on down the road, if you allow it?
If you lose that friendship, he can thank no one but himself for that. You should have a clear consciousness. You weren't the one who decided to become pushy.
"I REALLY do not want to hurt him as he's been through enough already." Ok, so here he has you feeling it would be
your fault if things don't work out the way he wants. In fact, he's got you feeling that you somehow you
owe it to him to not hurt him. Exactly what kind of debt are you in with this guy? None at all, I would hope.
"He's been through enough already." Sweet, sweet sympathy, be still my beating heart. If you think about it, who
hasn't been through enough already? Haven't
you been through enough already? Losing a much-needed friendship would be painful to you. But how much of a fuck is he giving about
that?
Don't be played. You're in a vulnerable state in your life. You're not ready for this yet, with him or anyone. And what's more, you don't need more drama and BS in your life at this point. There will be other friends who will actually be good for you, and won't become toxic.
Ghost this MFer and forget about him. I'm sorry for the loss of a meaningful friendship to you. But someone trying to take advantage is the absolute last thing you need in your life, with all that's been going on.
