Well, I took Romeo's advice on the "hanging around guy" as Kat has dubbed him (lol) & I told him exactly what IR wrote up there and he was cool with it. He said he totally understands we are "just two friends hanging out." And he still wants to hang so we're planning an activity. Hahaha. I made it clear the word and label "dating" are not in my lexicon.
I was thinking about replying to my stbx. Still don't get why he's texting me. Wonder if it's rude that I haven't written back...