I (22F) am new to dating after a long relationship. How do I know if a guy (24M) I’ve been seeing wants something serious?

I’m looking for perspective on how early dating typically progresses, especially after coming out of a long-term relationship. This is all very new to me so I’m learning as I go.

I (22F) recently got out of a relationship with my high school boyfriend. He was the only person I’d ever dated or been with, so this is my first time dating someone new as an adult.

I started seeing a guy (24M), and we’ve been on three dates. The first date was dinner and lasted around five hours. It felt easy and natural. Our second date was coffee and a walk in the park a few days later, and he held my hand. A few days after that, right before I left town for a trip, we went out to dinner again and ended up sleeping together. I didn’t feel pressured and it felt natural, but it was still a big step for me given my limited dating experience.

Right after that, I left town for several weeks. Since then, we’ve been texting and FaceTimed twice. He’s mentioned wanting to see me when I’m back and has brought up specific plans like cooking dinner together or going out. He’s also said he paused his dating app and joked about focusing on our connection. (Not sure if that’s the truth but I’m inclined to believe him)

Where I’m unsure is communication style. His texting tends to be brief and fairly dry most of the time, with occasional flirting. He’s consistent and responsive, just not very expressive verbally. I’m trying to understand whether that’s just a difference in communication style or something people pay attention to early on.

There’s also a racial dynamic I’m mindful of. I’m Black and he’s white, and he’s mentioned he hasn’t dated a Black woman before. I’m trying to be aware of how to navigate that thoughtfully without making assumptions, especially early on.

I’m not looking to rush into labels, but I also want to be intentional and realistic as I get back into dating.

I’d appreciate insight on:

•What signs people usually look for to tell if something is naturally progressing early on

•How much weight people put on actions (making plans, consistency) vs communication style

•General advice for dating after a long-term relationship

Thanks in advance.