MM, I think you hold onto these little crumbs he gives you because you are afraid that if you hold out for more, he will walk away. And I think you may be right. He doesn't seem ready to commit to you in a meaningful way, but likes you and the physical relationship enough to keep stringing you along since you allow it.
There are plenty of men in the world who would treat you like gold.
Perhaps you can't totally get him out of your life since you have a business together, but you can certainly have a business-only relationship with him.
I know you said he's trying and he's changed. But you are so focused on what he is or isn't doing with regards to you, and how you should play it so that he does what you want.
That doesn't sound healthy to me.
You want us to see it differently because you want it to BE different. No one wants to admit that something's wrong and they may need to step away.
and no one is saying he's evil.
But he really doesn't seem interested or able to give you what you want, and it seems to cause you a lot of anxiety and pain and self-doubt. You and he just don't seem to be on the same page. And at some point, you get to decide whether you are ok with what he is able to give you. If so, stop agonizing over every interaction. It is what it is right now. If not, pull back.
Honestly I don't think you are really ready to accept this.
