"labels"

Readers.. it's monday.. and my office is empty.. people are out doing stuff but i am here, sitting at my desk.. trying to get things done.. but i have this thought that keeps running through my mind.. i mean.. ok.. here's the deal.. southern comfort and i are going on date #7 tonight.. well.. not sure if we're going somewhere.. or if he's going to come over and we'll just hang out.. have dinner.. watch a movie.. and so on.. but here's the situation.. i mean.. what are we? Is he someone i'm just dating.. and if so.. am i supposed to be dating other people right now as well.. because i'm not.. and i don't know if he is.. i can't assume that he's my boyfriend because i'm guessing that's a whole other level.. here's how it goes in my foreign head:
1. meet someone (whatever way that may be.. online in this case)
2. go out on a first date
3. go out on a second date..
4. realize that you have a good time together on your dates.. and continue going on them.. still at just once a week..
5. start seeing each other more than once a week..

Since then.. he's met my friends.. taken me out on my birthday.. and i am pretty sure he's not dating anyone else.. but how would i know that without asking.. and then.. even better.. how do i ask without sounding like a total girl?? It would be way easier if i could just say "hey.. so.. you seeing anyone else".. straight-forward.. and i am still considering that option because i'm not so good at the games people play.. but i think that if time's taught me anything it's that those games are there for a reason.. you HAVE to play.. honesty is not as appreciated as you think.. guys want to have to chase you.. so you need to keep running.. or at the very least.. pretend to..

on the run.. nounou :)