The moment I knew he was different... 🥺❤️

Sometimes I forget how exhausting dating can be. Like, you do the apps, you gear up for “could be the one” but it ends up being awkward silences and split checks you didn’t even touch.

But then there's nights like this—a table under dim lights, laughter coming easy, decent wine, and this pasta so good I actually taste it (instead of secretly counting down when to leave).

And yeah, everything feels chill right until that dreaded moment—check lands on the table. Cue the “don’t look weird, act normal” inside panic. I guess after enough ‘meh’ dates you start reaching for your wallet out of reflex, just so no one gets the wrong idea. Independence defense mechanism or whatever.

I could feel my brain arguing with itself—do I grab for my phone first? Will I look like I expect him to pay if I don’t? Just unlock and scan, escape the awkwardness.

But while I’m busy overthinking, suddenly his hand gently covers my screen. Not forceful, not awkward—just, “hey, relax.” He looks at me all serious and says, “Put that away. I didn’t ask you out so you could pay for your own pasta.”

And that’s it. That’s the whole game-changer moment. Suddenly, I’m not tense. I’m just… happy. His eyes are laughing, even if he’s pretending to be stern. And I can’t help thinking—wait, am I in trouble? Because honestly, I might be.

Sometimes romance is just a quiet dinner, a shy look, and one small gesture that feels like fireworks.