I (59f) have a good friend who I see a lot and I supported him when his wife passed away five years ago.
He’s a dear kind, sweet guy but only see him as a friend. I’ve been really careful not to encourage more.
This morning having spent a nice day out at a sporting event, he’s now come back and asked me for a proper date.
I just need advice on how to handle this sensitively. He did date a woman who dumped him just before Christmas and he was very cut up by it. She cited me as a problem but I really have never given him any indication there would ever be more.
I don’t want to hurt his feelings or ruin a good friendship.
Edit: Thank you all for your advice. I have replied and he’s taken it well. I personally find anything like this so hard to respond to as I for one have put myself out there in the past and been knocked back so I just wanted to word it sensitively.