Need advice from the men-should I keep trying or throw in the towel with this guy?

Ok I’m gonna keep this somewhat vague just in case one of my friends/coworkers recognizes this💀 sorry if this is long!

I am interested in a guy. He’s younger than me. I am 26 and he’s 21. I have never really been interested in men younger than me till this guy! I’m gonna just get this out of the way now-we kind of work together. He is contract, works in a different department than me, but is occasionally in an adjacent department which is how we got to chatting to begin with. His contract will finish at the end of this month as he will be going back to school full time. I am a permanent staff member. I was planning on asking him out after his contract ends.

Anyway, we get along fairly well, and have a LOT in common from music to hobbies. I also really enjoy his overall personality. Funny, but also quiet and respectful. He can roast me pretty good, which I respect as a fellow roaster myself.

Because of the whole work thing, I’ve been trying to subtly gauge if theres any interest. I also have no rizz (imo) LOL. I casually suggested an activity that we could do together outside of work together that I’m fairly versed in and he replied that he’d have to take me up on it sometime. Bit of a nothing burger answer-but I also didn’t give a specific date or time.

Last week (this time through message, not in person) I worked up the nerve to ask him if he’d be interested in said activity again, this time with a specific date. He said that he was out of town for the weekend but thanked me for the offer. No follow up on doing anything in the future.

Here comes my question: is this total disinterest on his part? Should I throw in the towel? I’m conflicted cause a couple friends are saying it’s not a good sign he didnt follow up himself with a time that could work on his end. On the other hand, some of my friends are saying that I was too casual and not “flirty” enough, so the invite didnt come across as anything more than friends. They’re saying I shouldn’t give up quite yet.

I was thinking of asking (different activity) again but more directly and being very clear about wanting to go on a date but I’m worried I could come across as weird if I’m not reading this as disinterest. I def dont want to be the creepy older person. I dont want to embarrass myself.

Men-help!!