Was it a date or wasn't it?

Dear Advice Girl,

Last weekend this guy I like (my best guy friend) invited me to go to the movies with him, and he paid for everything (I’m usually the one who pays when we hang out). And I sometimes get the feeling that he likes me as well, but I’m not positive. How do I know for sure if it was a date or not?

Signed,
   Lauren

Dear Lauren,

If three or more of the following are true, then it’s a date:

• Dude asks you to go to the movies. Just the two of you.

• Dude doesn’t invite you while you’re hanging out with your pals or are already saying things like, “Wouldn’t it be great to go see Knocked Up sometime?” He calls you up, emails or texts you specifically to ask you out.

• Dude pays for your ticket. He even offers to buy you Sour Patch Kids.

• Dude’s acting a little more awkward around you than he usually does, even though he sees you every day in school and has never had a problem looking you in the eye or hitting you in the back of the head with a mechanical pencil.

• Dude acts especially awkward when the movie’s over. He’s nervous about what to do next and is hoping you’ll take control of the evening from here on out.

• Dude smells suspiciously like Axe deodorant spray.

Lauren, odds are, you’ve got a date on your hands. Have fun on date #2, and let me know how it goes!