They hung out quite a bit but just as friends until mid-September. They spent countless hours at the rec center together where AJ discovered Kayla might just be one of the most competitive girls you will ever meet.

On September 26, 2021, while Kayla was unpacking her things from a trip she was returning from, her phone started ringing. It was AJ calling to see if she wanted to go watch the sunset at Coopers Rock. She was a little startled because they were "just friends" but giddy none the less. On the way home that night AJ missed the turn back to Kayla's apartment about 4 times because he was so nervous. Before she got out of the car AJ asked Kayla if she liked him to which she nervously responded yes. He broke into a smile and admitted that he had feelings for her too!

The next weekend AJ's sister Lydia came to town for a football game. Kayla introduced herself as AJ's friend because she was not sure if they were officially dating yet. What Kayla didn't know was that AJ had already told Lydia that they were dating. This is something they still laugh about often! Kayla found out they were dating a few days later when AJ saw an old friend and introduced Kayla as his girlfriend.