Both of us are in the creative industry and we met through work a few years ago (we are in the same line of work but don’t work in the same place or together so not exactly co workers)

Anyway, I always thought of him as a friend but we’ve been talking a lot more and he told me lately that he “is really grateful to know me” and that he thought I was a very cool person.

So getting the vibe that he wants something more - which I’d be open to but fine if not.

Anyway, he’s been asking to look at my latest work because he thinks I’m talented.

I told him I would send him some stuff - and I’m glad because I would like for him to help me get my work out there because he’s a bit more well connected than me.

However, he’s now saying “would you be interested in seeing some of my work?”

And now I’m torn.

Obviously I like to help out fellow artists but in the past, any time I’ve helped out a guy in this way, he’s taken all my suggestions and claimed them as his own and then abandoned me - never offering anything in return.

And I’ve actually started charging for my notes and breakdowns because I know that my insight is valuable.

So I don’t know how to respond to this.

Should I tell him that I will look at it but that I usually charge for a proper breakdown?

I’m worried it will make him not look my work and then discard me all together.

Any advice would be appreciated?