How to approach a Man I am interested in?

I got into the dating field after a long long time and I am not aware how things work now. I am interested to know more about a guy I have on social media, but our conversation is dying pretty soon. I am an introverted person so making the first move is like getting out of my comfort zone. Yet, I knocked him couple of times but I don’t feel the same energy from the other side. That’s probably because he asked me out few times a year back, but I was dating someone else back then. Do you think the guy is attracted to me? If so, what could be some of the ways for me to approach him without coming out too desperate?

He seems pretty interested to meet me in person and hang out but I want to get comfortable by talking to him and knowing him a little before I meet him in person. As I said, I am getting into the dating field after a long long time, so I am a bit nervous/shy.