says she doesn’t want a relationship but acts like we’re together now pulling away
My ex and I broke up for about a month, and then she came back saying she missed me and wanted to talk again, but only as friends. She made it clear she’s not looking for a relationship with me or anyone else.
We’ve hung out a couple times since then. First time we went on a hike, came back to my place, and ended up having sex but she made sure to say it didn’t mean we were back together. The next week I went to her house, hung out with her family (campfire, hot dogs, s’mores), and then she drove 2.5 hours back with me to my place and spent the night. We hooked up again.
After that, things were going really smooth. We were talking a lot, on the phone pretty often, and falling asleep on the phone together most nights. She even started saying “I love you.” I said it back at first, then later told her I think I only said it because she did. She said it was okay and we didn’t have to say it. But about a week later I told her I loved her, and she said it back.
Recently though, she’s been acting distant leaving me on read, not talking nearly as much. I asked what was wrong and she said she feels like she’s getting too attached. Later when I tried to ask a couple questions about that on the phone, she got defensive and told me to “just let her breathe.”
Now she still talks to me, just way less, and the energy feels off. I’m confused because her actions and words don’t line up she says she doesn’t want a relationship, but we’ve basically been acting like we’re in one.
Has anyone dealt with something like this? Is she just scared of getting attached again, or am I getting strung along? What would you do in this situation?