Honey, it wasn't a backslide, consider it testing the waters. AND IT WORKED!!!
Saying I love you back is major. Even if it doesn't mean everything is perfect, it means it isn't all lost. It is a GOOD THING. And it is progress.
He may not have decided to go. Might not be a done deal.
Things are not always perfect with OW in affairs, and if they have trouble, it doesn't look like he's gonna tell you ab out it (some guys do, though, can you b elieve that?)
Anyway...you're doing a GOOD JOB!
sg Love is PATIENT, love is KIND, LOVE never fails / DB since 2001