So much yes to this comment. That's exactly the problem; he can't read people, and he's very binary, if you know what I mean. He is very literal, and has trouble with grey areas.

To be fair, this girl did tell him she liked him once, but yeah, he has trouble knowing different levels of emotions.

And seriously - what you said about Rom Coms etc 'making' people fall in love. Contending with that fantasy with someone who doesn't really understand fantasy...exhausting.