Keeping this extremely short.

Met a guy through a friend of a friend 5 months ago. We've hung out a few times in between (all friends, not just he & I). He invited me to a last minute house party to bring in the New Year. We stayed up until 5a.m. just talking and last night he confessed to liking me.

I was taken aback and we talked for a while. He said he's looking for a relationship and said he wants to spend more time with me. I said okay (understanding this means that he's searching with purpose) and he asked what my plans were for the weekend and I told him none.

I'm scared. I've had 2 serious relationships at age 15 and 23. 15? We were young and it was over around age 19. My ex- fiance was abusive. Lasted 2 years and I finally walked away. I'll be 30 this April and haven't been on a date or entertained the idea since my ex. I'm tired of being let down and afraid.

I haven't told anyone because I'm a private person and I don't want the opinions of those who know me too well because I don't want to second guess myself with the "Girl remember your ex and how he was mean and blah blah blah?" I add this because when I've said it in the past that I'm ready to date again, this is the type of responses I'd get.

How do you get back out there?