So I've a arranged to meet a guy I've been texting and video calling since December. He was given my number by a mutual friend who wanted to set us up, but he moved away shortly afterward - then texted me out of the blue just before Christmas. He moved home a little while ago but I was away so we're only meeting now and I'm super nervous.

I've made attempts to flirt with him over the past few months and while he never rebuffed me or shot me down he certainly didn't lean into them. Like once after a call I text and said I couldn't wait to meet him in real life and rather than say me too or whatever he made a joke about how he'd be able to prove he has legs. Mutal friends have told me it's because he's inexperienced but he's 36 and has had more relationships (though probably dated much, much less to be fair) than me so I'm not sure that checks out. He has many close female friends too so maybe he thinks that's what I am? I certainly would not be texting him if I wasn't interested romantically.

Our date was sort of mutually organised and isn't super datey. We were chatting on a call about our plans for the upcoming week and realised we'd both be free and in the same area for the first time ever so it's more "hang out" than date.

I've decided if there hasn't been any obvious, unmistakeable flirting by the end of the date I'm going to straight up ask if he sees me just as a friend or has interest in me romantically. The not knowing is driving me crazy. What I'm wondering is how best to phrase that? And also how to set the tone so he knows it's a date not two pals catching up. Like it's just coffee...

EDIT: I just want to add I'm completely fine with him saying he's not sure if he's interested romantically or not. That still (to me anyway) implies that there is potential for a romantic relationship but he's just unclear on chemitry, attraction etc. The issue is if he already thinks of me as just a friend and is definitely not interested romantically.