I know the psychology behind the guy chasing the girl, which is why I've always been reluctant to actively pursue a man unless I know there is a definite interest.

I've been on and off online dating for a while. I found someone who expressed an interest in me and flirting and asked to hang out a couple nights; I was hesitant due to my usual misgivings about meeting guys online (not always a fear of some crazy stalker, but even just not being what I expect) I used a couple excuses and delayed meeting up until the day he was leaving for a planned trip to his work out of state. We hung out for a couple hours, just walked and talked and that was it and everything seemed cool, he did mention "we should hang out again" as I left. Well I knew he was busy with the long drive and work in the three days that followed so texting was sparse. I did mention the idea of seeing a movie and going to the beach (something he showed interest in prior) to which he seemed inclined upon returning.

Well he came back to town yesterday and texting is still sparse but I do try to keep in mind busy schedules and I know he works in the IT field from home for long hours during the day. I know I often sound like a silly middle schooler when I become fixated on a man (I'm 23, btw) and only had four relationships in the past, all of which were rushed into, so I'm not very familiar with the drawn-out dating game/chase and it makes me anxious. I just wrestle with the part of me that wants to outright make my intentions clear and cut to the chase and the part of me that says to hang back and be more subtle and let him come to me. And luckily I have hung back from being overly obnoxious or saying anything silly.

But I guess I am just at a loss of how to continue this, and whether there is an indication he has lost interest in me or just the bad timing what with the trip and not giving enough of a framework for the other person's schedule and not being able/inclined to reply to me right away all the time. Sorry for the long post and probably silly issue, it's not not often I meet someone who I'm very interested in and who seemed to be very into me as well. I should also mention he is 3 years older than me and has stability and that is something both of us are looking for. Anyway, how should I approach the situation from here?