OK, drama continues in my life.

BF is selling his business. Since that is also his home he has to make some decisions.

We've been up again/down again for a long time but always seem to stick together (mostly I think because it's familiar and safe). We have a good time together, but I've long felt something was missing. We're great friends, but the passion has long been gone. And there has never been any romance.

Anyway, today we went on a local outing and had a great time. Another couple happened to ask if we were boyfriend/girlfriend, or colleagues, or ??? He answered
"a little of both, we're colleagues and we're dating."

Now, we've been "dating" for about 7 years now. He has always said he'll never get married again (and I believe him). Not sure I ever want to go down that road again myself. Maybe I do, and maybe I don't. But when, after all this time, those kinds of questions are still answered like that, well, it bothers me.

I've been very careful to NOT mention living together, considering the pending sale of his business.

My dilemma is this. I'm happy the way things are. I like living alone. He wants to "wait on me" to retire and always talks about the future with the word "we." But if I don't want to live together now, after all this time, I really can't see why I'd want to do it in a few more years.

Truthfully I'd like to see other people. But I have NO experience with tactfully "breaking up" or "backing off" with someone.

Any advice?

Thanks.

Whirlwnd