The honest translation
About 80% of the time, 'I'm busy' isn't a calendar problem — it's a polite way to create distance without closing the door. It's deliberately ambiguous: it lets him reopen the conversation later without committing now.
The 3 versions of 'I'm busy'
1) 'I'm busy this week' + suggests another time → real interest, just scheduling. 2) 'I'm busy' with nothing else → testing your reaction before committing. 3) 'I've been super busy lately' → soft signal he doesn't want to keep this going.
What NOT to do
Don't send 3 follow-ups asking when he's free. Don't reply with sarcasm ('ok, have fun being busy'). And don't disappear for 2 weeks then come back with 'hey, how's life?' — it's the most predictable pattern in the world and he'll read it instantly.
The reply that actually works
Short, low-pressure, with a concrete open door: 'All good, no rush. If you free up next week let me know — there's a new spot I think you'd like.' — You give him control, propose something specific, and don't beg.