Yea for me I tend to develop more reliable romantic feelings for people over time, cuz when my feelings do click quickly those feelings tend to be temporary and I lose interest over time. So for me I like romantic relationships to start from a solid friendship.
Some how I can understand him. It's all because of his personality and thinking of the mc in a professional way so maybe the feeling of love or attraction actually there with him to begin with he just didn't think of her as a possible love interest so he didn't notice his real feelings.
It happens with people who are like him very professional and in the story they clearly shown that he is like that....
Do I make any sense? Lol
Not that he should like the MC. Love doesn't work like that, and if feeling haven't shown up by now then it would be odd of him to start liking her. But she is perfect on paper. Considering his ex's personality he must have odd tastes. If he does start liking her it would have meant it took her crying for him to like her. Which is odd? Guess he likes messy chicks.