I owe you a proper explanation and instead you're getting this paragraph. I met someone at my friend's thing and it turned into something and I didn't plan it and I feel awful and you were never anything less than great.

So this is awkward to type out but I matched with my coworker by accident and now things are Complicated with a capital C. I don't think I can give you what you're looking for. Please still recommend that ramen place though.

Thank you for the three lovely dates and for being patient with my terrible parallel parking. I've decided to step back from dating entirely for a while. Not a soft no. A logistical no. My life is held together with tape.

You're the kind of person I'd want to be friends with for thirty years, which is a beautiful thing and also, I've learned the hard way, a romantic death sentence. I think we're better as the friends version. I'm sorry.

I had such a lovely time on Saturday. You're funny and kind and you held the door in a way that felt sincere rather than performative. I just don't think I'm in the right headspace to date right now. It's not you. It's my entire life.

Okay, full honesty because you've earned it: the spark wasn't there for me. I really wanted it to be. I even tried to talk myself into it on the train. But I'd rather be honest now than lukewarm for three months.