Hey people,

I asked for some advice on this in my IRL circle but would like to hear some thoughts.

Last week I've been heavily flirted with by someone that I just met, and I've been flirting back. I wasn't sure if the intentions were really flirty, so I wanted to wait a bit to say that I have a gf. Also, would have been just awkward as hell to mention that I have a gf, but am in an open relationship without sounding immediately interested without being sure how they feel. Now we went out with a group of people (we're in the same education program), and it's been completely clear that they're into me.

I just don't know how to mention it casually in a conversation now without sounding like I've been leading them on. Also it feels terrible not disclosing it from the very beginning and unnatural to not mention my girlfriend. I feel like the more you wait, the harder it gets.

On the one hand, people tell me that it's ok, that it's only been a few days, we're not dating or anything. On the other hand, I still feel bad and unfair in a lot of ways and it would have been better to say it earlier. I definitely want to say something before anything physical happens, and make my intentions clear.

How do you deal with situations like that? Do you just straight up tell them that you're interested and your relationship situation?