Having a hookup can be loads of fun, especially because you don’t have to worry about what you would traditionally worry about in a relationship. This should be a mutually beneficial, no-strings-attached type of situation here! But what happens if you start to think about your FWB as more of a lover?

If you want to develop a serious relationship with your hookup after realizing they could very well be the perfect one for you, how do you go about something like that? Especially because that’s exactly the OPPOSITE of the type of relationship you came into this for! Especially if you met on a hookup site, there’s this expectation that things are not going to blossom. It’s sort of an unwritten contract of going on a site like that.

But, the heart does tend to want what the heart wants, so we are here for the ride with you. If you start feeling like you could possibly see something more happening with your casual sex friend, follow these simple steps in order to turn your hookup time into a full-blown, goodbye morning kiss, goodnight call, monogamous, committed relationship where you are courting/being courted.

Open Communication

The lines of communication should always be open and available. You should both be checking in with one another on a regular basis to make sure you are still on the same page and enjoying one another’s company. This way, you can also gauge how your FWB’s feelings have been growing/not growing. Your S.O. isn’t a mind reader, so make sure to tell them exactly where you stand. If that goes well, (and we are sure that it will because you are awesome and don’t you forget it,) then…..

Stay Over 

A simple step you could take in order to see if this relationship can be furthered would be to simply stay the night. You’re already over at your hookup’s apartment, why not stay the night to see how it feels to wake up next to one another? See how the conversation flows and how comfortable you can get with one another. Really take this time to picture what your routine would look like. This will also ensure you know whether or not the conversation is a-flowin’!

Group Date 

Instead of staying home and wrestling in bed, why not go out and see how it feels to be in the real world with your f-buddy? Get to know them on a whole different level while keeping it casual and stress-free by going out with a bunch of people. Not only will you get to know your hookup/potential relationship man/woman more than you did before, but now you will also have the chance to meet their friends/see how they interact on a regular basis. This will surely be telling.

Refrain From Sex

We know this seems like a ridiculous ask, but you already know one another in that way. Now it is time to build a strong foundation for your relationship based on everything else other than sex. You are obviously more than compatible in the bedroom. Now is the time for talking, not sexing. Now is the time for a whole different kind of intimacy. That doesn’t mean you suddenly have to turn into a nun – just make sure your relationship is going to be based on more than just sex…..or else you’re just a bunch of glorified hookups. Pick a lane!