Why is he reading my texts but not replying?

A read receipt on a text that asked for nothing is almost always just a glance. He saw the message while doing something else and meant to come back. The silence starts to mean something only when the message needed an answer he didn't want to give yet, like a plan he hasn't committed to or a question about how he feels. Look at what you sent. Was it a joke with no question? Then the silence probably means nothing. Was it a plan, a yes or no question, or a personal topic? Then he may be stalling.

Compare the rhythm to what came before. If he used to reply within an hour and now it's been two days, something changed, even if it's small. If he's always been slow, the read receipt is just his normal pace. Your job is to read the situation accurately so you don't invent a problem that isn't there, or ignore one that is.

Once you decide to follow up, the shape of your message matters more than the words. A casual reopener works when the original thread had momentum and the silence is recent. It should refer to something specific from before and carry no pressure, so he can answer with a single line. A simple yes or no question works when there's a concrete decision on the table, like whether Saturday still works or whether he wants to try the place you mentioned. It should be short enough to answer from his phone while walking. A light, no-reply-needed note works when you want to keep the door open without asking for anything. It should be warm and finish the thought, not leave a question hanging.

In each case, leave out anything that mentions the read receipt, adds a second question, or explains why you're writing. Those additions turn an easy answer into a task.

Send one follow-up and let it sit. A day or two is normal for casual texting, longer if it's a weekend or he mentioned being busy. If you still get nothing after that, don't send a second chase. Wait for him to start the next conversation, even if that takes a while. Keep your own life moving in the meantime so you aren't checking the phone.

Stop when you've gotten silence after a clear follow-up and there's no sign he's engaging. A reply that says he's busy and will text later still counts as a yes, so give it time. If he doesn't come back at all, or comes back flat and says nothing about meeting, treat the thread as closed. You can always reopen it later with one light message if something changes on his end.