...I might be the asshole in my own story...

So here's the thing, I've always been okay with casual encounters and short-term flings. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but that's just me. A few months back, I met this girl named Jade at a friend's party. She was really friendly, open to small talk about everything from movies to sports, and we clicked pretty well. Fast forward a week later, and we ended up spending the night together... it wasn't anything special or planned; just two people who were interested in each other and the moment felt right. We both made it clear that we weren't looking for commitment, just something casual to start with. We kept seeing each other a few times over the next month or so, mostly dinners out at restaurants nearby our apartments and short walks around town together on nice evenings. Then, one night after dinner, as I was walking her home, she mentioned how much fun she had with me but hinted that it might be time to move things along or call it quits. I know... I get that this is supposed to be casual, no strings attached. But something in the way she said it made me hesitate. So instead of making a clear decision on her terms, I sorta hedged my bets, told her I was still enjoying our time together and maybe there could be more if we both wanted it. I can see now that this wasn't very mature or fair to her; I should've just been honest about what I wanted. Instead, I let us drift apart without resolving anything... leaving things ambiguous like that isn't respectful at all. Now she's gone back to seeing other people openly and acting totally cool with it, maybe even relieved. Am I really the asshole here for being too scared to make a clean break? Should I just leave Jade be, or try apologizing for making her feel uncertain about what our relationship was supposed to mean? Sometimes I think I know exactly how I acted, but other times...I wonder if there's more nuance and responsibility I need to take on.