Speaking gently here because I can see you are hurting but....
He has said he wants to take a break and start over as friends. It really does not matter what worked for anyone else or what you want to do for him. He has told you want
he needs or wants for himself and I think the only thing to do is accept that and decide if being friends with someone you want more with is a direction you are willing to go. Not sure I could do that
