He hasn't mentioned exclusivity by week four: is he still in?

Look at what he's doing, not what he's saying. If he's still making specific plans, suggesting times, and following through on them, he is interested in seeing you. He just may not have decided what it means yet. If he's been sending short messages that don't ask anything back, or he only gets in touch on Friday afternoons, that's a different pattern. The message itself rarely tells you much. The rhythm does. Count how often he starts a conversation compared with how often you do. If the ratio has tilted hard in one direction for two or three weeks, the silence on exclusivity is probably just a symptom of how invested he is.

Also notice whether he's ever brought up the future in a light way. People who are keeping options open often avoid anything that sounds like a plan past next weekend. People who are into you but cautious will usually float something small, like a restaurant they want to try or a trip they mention in passing. Either pattern tells you more than a definition ever would.

When you're unsure where you stand, it's tempting to ask a question that's really about your worry. Things like "so what are we?" or "are you seeing anyone else?" can land as pressure at week four. A better move is to name the thing you're enjoying and make your own position clear. You're telling him where you are, which gives him room to tell you where he is without feeling tested. If you want him to know you're not casually dating three people, say so in a relaxed way. Then leave a gap. The point isn't to win a reaction, it's to make the next move easy for him to make honestly.

If he responds with something vague, don't chase it in the same message. Give it a day or two and see whether his actions shift toward the thing you're hoping for. A vague answer is information too, just not the kind you wanted.

Timing changes how a message reads. A late-night "hey, missed you" sent after two drinks can look like you're more invested than you want to appear, and it often gets a short reply the next afternoon. Send your check-in in the middle of a normal day, when you're busy with your own life, so it lands as a light note and not a request. If he doesn't reply within a day, leave it alone. A second message in the same week usually makes the situation feel heavier than it is. If a full week passes with no response and no plans, that's your sign to stop putting energy into this one. Keep your attention on other people and let him come back on his own terms, or not at all.