I want to start by saying this is my first time posting here because I’m not really sure where else to turn with this.

I’m an 18-year-old girl, and I recently met a 29-year-old guy during a trip abroad. He’s a family member of one of my friends, and during the trip, he showed us around the city—taking us to art museums and other interesting spots. From the moment I met him, I was drawn to his humor, good looks, and the way he treated me. Despite the age difference, he spoke to me as an equal, which left a strong impression.

We only spent a few days together, but after I left, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. A few weeks later, I found his social media, followed him, and he eventually followed me back. He sent me a DM asking who I was, and when I reminded him, he replied, "Ah yes, XY, how could I forget you?" From there, we started talking regularly, and over time, the conversations slowly turned flirty.

I told him I wasn’t comfortable with the flirting because he has a girlfriend, and he acknowledged that the age gap between us is significant. But even so, he didn’t completely stop. He would call me cute, mature, and even attractive. I know some people might wonder why I didn’t just stop responding, and honestly, I’m not entirely sure myself. Part of me enjoyed the attention, and I really do find him fascinating as a person.

Now, I feel stuck and guilty because of his girlfriend. I haven’t made any direct advances, but I’m worried my responses could have been misinterpreted as flirting. I’d really appreciate some advice or fresh perspectives on this—I’m honestly just confused.

(Sorry for any spelling mistakes! I’m dyslexic and, even though I proofread this, you can never be 100% sure. 😊)