Say it Upfront
Out of all the ways of saying I love you this guy just picks probably the wrongest one or at least that’s what he will be thinking by watching the reply of the person. Really by using emoji? There are chances that the girl understood him. But now she wants to play the game of reverse psychology. Watching his efforts and his sincerity she would be giggling right now by calling him, sheep admirer.
This is while another level of social awkwardness and Scott may be regretting what he had done. This poor guy is in love but unaware of the best way to convey it.