I promise simply this: tonight mattered to me, and I want more of you.

I pledge to say I’m nervous and ask for a squeeze of your hand.

I promise to tell you when a song reminds me of you and why.

I vow to tell you the truth about my exes without oversharing.

I promise to hold your hand when the city noise makes you tense.

I pledge to keep my phone face down during dinner unless you say otherwise.

I vow to say I’m glad I met you tonight and mean it plainly.

I pledge to be the person who replies, even if my day is busy.

I vow to tell you that tonight made me want to know you better.

I promise to make room on the couch for you and your coat.

I vow to be clear about what I need, instead of hoping you’ll guess.

I promise to hold the door even when you insist you can do it.

I pledge to share my umbrella and my bad playlists without hesitation.

I promise to laugh at your worst pun and then groan with you together.

I vow to be the person who remembers you prefer your eggs fried hard.

I promise to say thank you every time you pass the bread.

I keep replaying you sliding into that booth and imagining you sliding closer.

I want to know what you whisper when no one is listening, starting tonight.

I felt comfortable enough to mention the song stuck in my head.

I liked how you wiped the table even though the staff would do it.

I felt pleased when you remembered my coffee order by the end.

I’m glad you pointed out the tiny crack in the café tile.

You tapping your pen while you listened made me notice how focused you are.

I felt honest saying I was nervous and you said you were too.

I liked that you held my chair while I pulled it out.

I felt curious the whole time we walked that alley with the murals.

I’m still replaying the sidelong grin you gave when the lights flickered.

You folding your napkin like that made me smile more than I expected.

I liked that you remembered the name of the little bakery nearby.

I’m still thinking about the way you hummed while choosing a song.

I felt lighter walking out with you than I did walking in.

I kept glancing at you while we waited for the rain to stop.

I’m glad you noticed the odd painting on the wall and mentioned it.

I felt surprised by how easy it was to talk to you.

I liked sharing that awkward silence and not pretending it wasn’t there.

Seeing you check your watch before we left made me notice you cared.

I’m thinking about the way you tucked your hair behind your ear.

I felt oddly calm sitting across from you at that tiny table.

You said you’d meet me here and showing up mattered more than I expected.

Your coat smelled faintly of the cafe and it stuck with me.