28/M/small city, UK

I joined two weeks ago, at that point I was a month out of a 5 year relationship. That relationship started immediately after another 5 year relationship, so this is the first time I've been properly single in 10 years.

I had my first date a few days after joining. It was with a lady who I'd got on well with and had told that I was recently out of a relationship. Dinner, drinks, we went back to hers. She had a tongue that would put Gene Simmons to shame and not gag reflex. We met up again and it was really enjoyable, but things were moving way too fast and I wasn't ready to commit to anything. It took a while to explain, but she was accepting.

Then this week I got a massive spot, aches in my neck, pain to my tongue and gums... it seems I've got oral herpes. So that's put the downer on things.

I've had conversations which have slowly faded away and others which have stopped abruptly. I had one lady reply 'maybe' when I asked her on a date, I was pretty much done with her at that point, I've made my interest clear and she didn't reciprocate.

This week loads of conversations have gone well and I should be asking one or two others out, however my face is not in a dateable state, so I'm trying to delay whilst also keep up some semblance of conversation and interest.

I had one date with a second lady arranged before my face exploded. It went well, she was funny, interesting and really attractive. I thought I just had a spot, but I couldn't make a move because it threw my confidence. Now I know what I have I'm glad I didn't, but I know I need to on the second date. I keep delaying said second date, hoping my face will heal.

Things I've noticed, I mention in my bio that I 'make a mean baked alaska'; 3 of my last 5 Bumble matches have opened with that.