What should I do about this guy I like?

I have known this very shy man for about 18 months now. When I first met him I was going through a divorce so kept to myself alot. However, I noticed that he gave ALOT of signals that he liked me. (He would stare at me alot, blush when talking to me, stutter during conversations, sometimes ignore me if I spoke with other men etc etc). I decided I would slowly try to get to know him because I find him so interesting and different from all men Ive ever known before.

Over time I began to like him and would initate conversations with him. He seemed to relax alot more around me and began to seek me out too.

I also sent him flirty text messages which he always replied to straight away but he never initiated anything. His replies were always somewhat formal too (as if he was unsure how to respond so took the ‘safe’ way).

Then he had to leave the place we got to see each other (which was only for 2 hours once a week). Knowing that I may never get the chance to see him again, I took the unprecedented step of sending him a text telling him that I like him and would like to get to know him better. I asked him if he would like to go for a coffee with me.

This time it took him 2 days to reply, and when he did he said
“Hi, sorry for the late reply. Stresses at work and home have taken their toll. I am getting on top of it but need time to sort things out. Hope you understand.”

I replied that I understand and told him Im on holidays soon so if he wants to catch up then, to let me know. I also told him that I respect his need for space and appreciated him letting me know how things are for him.

Since then I have not had any contact with him (as I want to respect his need for space / time). However, I am now a little unsure of what, if anything I should do.

I appreciate that he needs time / space and will honour that. But I dont quite know what to make of his message. I.e.- is it his polite way of letting me know he’s not interested? If he isnt interested then why respond at all and why all of the previous signals suggesting otherwise?

If he is interested, wouldn’t he have made a bit more of an effort to take me up on my offer? (Eg by telling me he would be in touch or something?)

Perhaps I’m confusing the issue with my perception of him being extremely shy and therefore think that he may need lots of encouragement before feeling confident enough to open up to me? On the other hand, perhaps he is just politely letting me down.

So, guys…please help me out here. If you were giving a woman all kinds of non verbal attraction signals (and were extremely shy to the point of blushing whenever she is around) and then she forthrightly told you she liked you, what would you think / do?

Should I wait or simply let him go and move on?

Thank you for any genuine responses.