Is he the good guy who's interested or just lonely?

Hello :) First off, Merry Christmas everyone! So just need some advice on dating.

I’m 21, about to graduate with a master’s degree in a few months time. I’ve secured a job offer already with a decent starting salary. I’m career driven with ambitious life goals.

I started dating briefly end of last year and I’m very confused. There are a lot of guys who either just want to casual date or hookup or are ’emotionally unavailable’. It seems like no guys want to commit? I always get compliments on how hot and stunning I am, but it’s very superficial and nothing meaningful. I grew up in a very conservative family so casual is not for me.

Anyway, I was on Hinge (dating app)and started talking to this guy. He messaged me first and we talked consistently, not constantly at first. I’d say a text here and there for about three weeks before arranging to meet up. After grabbing coffee with him, we seem to be messaging more frequently throughout the day.

He’s 26, driven and has a good job. I enjoy our conversations but I realised he only asks me questions every now and again. Instead he likes to comment on my replies. But he did ask loads at the start. What confuses me is that, although he doesn’t ask alot, his texts are very long, like paragraphs, and he usually reply within minutes if not within the hour, even at work too!

I was annoyed and confronted him about it and said dating takes two people so we should call it quits if he’s not feeling it. He said he’s been single for a long time and only recently just started dating again so he’s not sure what he’s looking for/ how it’s gonna go. He mentioned that in his past experience, he likes to be friends first before dating. He said he wants to leave things and be friends and get to know me more. He then suggested to meet up again.

What are your thoughts about this? Is he friend-zoning me? Is he lonely and just wants somebody to talk to? Or is the good guy who wants to actually get to know me first before dating? Should I keep on open mind about this? Bear in mind that we’ve only been talking for a month over texts and met up twice only so we technically don’t really know each other well.

Thanks guys:) Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!