Is it cute or is it just an excuse?

So tonight me and my friends planned to go to the movies. I've been seeing this guy, we're not dating, but we have been out on dates. We've both told each other that we like one another. My friends ran into him and asked him to come along to the movies. He said no because he didn't have enough money to pay for my ticket. I've paid my own ticket before. I thought it's kind of cute that he would offer to pay for my ticket. Was it just an excuse not to go out with me tonight?