I’m (22M) a new PhD student at a university in a major US city and met a cute girl the same age while waiting in line for my ID badge yesterday. We had what felt to me a really good conversation and I walked with her to her next destination afterwards. She asked if I wanted her number before I could ask her for it so I said yes and exchanged info. She texted me a bit later to say hi. I responded with a little banter relating to something we discussed and said it was great meeting her to which she responded it was good to meet me as well.

A particular culture of food came up when we met that day so I looked up some good places nearby for that type of food and texted her to see if she would like to go to an ice cream shop with that cultural theme. She agreed and seemed excited (more than one “!” in a couple texts). I didn’t suggest a specific day, just said someday this week and she asked if she could let me know what day since it was her first day working at the school where I’m a student and I guess her schedule wasn’t concrete yet although she also said hers is M-F 8-5pm in the next text.

She seemed excited to meet me based on how she texted but she was kind of a “bubbly” person so it could just be how she is with everyone.

My question: that was Monday evening and today is Wednesday, should I text her just suggesting a day/time I’m available this week, or perhaps suggest Saturday instead so there’s not a work conflict, or just not say anything and wait for her to say something? I want to be chill and not act needy but she was a pretty cute girl and this is about as close to a date as I’ve gotten. I’ve been flaked on once before and would like to avoid that this time by being cool in the texting game, but I also don’t want to miss an opportunity to be bold if she’s waiting on me to actually suggest a time. I’m not scared to do that, I just don’t want to appear needy and I’m inexperienced with dating and what gives needy vibes.

Appreciate any advice!

Edit: not sure if this is relevant but we haven’t texted much, but she said she “can def let me know” a day which I responded to with “Great!” And she used the iMessage feature to love it.