When Two Dates is Enough

I am having dinner with a new quasi-friend tomorrow evening. Nothing serious, probably Thai, very low-key. I actually met this guy about a month and a half ago. We went out on what I would consider two official dates, which is what I would like to consider my norm. A first date can be frought with peril, from awkward conversations to spilled drinks and blown first kisses, so as long as I have a palatable time on a first date, I am always up for a second. More or less I have a good feeling as to whether or not their will be a third before I go out on the second, however, no one is perfect and I have been known to be wrong. But I consider the second date as the true test, at least for me. The spark is either there or it isn't. Sometimes it is there for one person and not the other or vice versa. Either way, the second date is make it or break it in my book.

So my dinner partner tomorrow did not make it to a third date, much to his chagrin. He, however, insists we can be friends, which I am all for, as I am a firm believer I can always use more friends. The problem is that since the second date, each time we have gotten together has seemed like a third, fourth and fifth date. I am worried that there is a bit of a pattern forming and dinner tomorrow will be date number six in his mind. He is a very sweet guy, and I have enjoyed getting to know him, but am I leading him astray? I have made it clear, not just in my body language but also but telling him in very clear terms that I like him as a friend, period. My question is this: How do you let someone go when you were never even dating in the first place?