She said she loves me but won’t commit?

So we’ve been seeing each other for about eight months, mostly hanging out at hers, movie nights, weekend drives, the usual. Took her to my parents’ place for a barbie last month and she got on smashingly with them, which made me think she was in it for real. Then outta nowhere she says, "I love you, but I’m not ready for a relationship." Bloody ridiculous, right? Like, say it if you mean it, or don’t. We’re not teenagers. I asked what she meant and she goes on about needing space, not wanting to rush into anything. But we *are* together, aren’t we? Or at least I reckoned we were. Now I’m sitting here feeling like a mug, wondering if I misread the whole thing. She still texts, still wants to catch up, but won’t call it a relationship. What even is that? Are we just… mates with benefits who say “I love you”? Feels messy. Don’t know whether to back off or call her out on the mixed signals.