I had a first date so good that the only part I’ve been replaying is the last few seconds. We talked pretty much nonstop. She complimented me throughout the night, and every time there might have been a lull, one of us had something else to say. It had been a while since a first date felt that easy.
Toward the end, she brought up sexual health. I didn’t see the subject coming, and in the moment I took it as part of the conversation. It only acquired possible subtext later, when I started going back over the evening like there was going to be a quiz.
Then we said goodbye. We hugged, and it felt a little awkward. I had the fleeting impression she might be waiting for me to kiss her. I was also aware that all I actually had to go on was an awkward hug. I didn’t go for it.
Now I’m wondering how much of that impression came from her and how much came from me wanting to kiss her. I had a great time with her. Apparently my brain would prefer to spend its time reviewing the one part where neither of us said anything.
Can a good first date lose some of its spark over a kiss that never happened? If we go out again, I’d like to kiss her if she wants to. How do you ask in a way that feels natural when the moment comes?
