In the Shadows of Openness

As a first-year law student in an open relationship, I often find myself struggling with the balance between freedom and loneliness. Last week, I met someone intriguing at a coffee shop who seemed to understand my legal complexities better than anyone else ever could... We connected over our shared fascination with contract law, which led us into a deep conversation that turned into something more meaningful but undefined. Afterward, we exchanged numbers and talked for hours every day, growing closer without crossing any physical boundaries. But now I'm starting to wonder if this emotional intimacy is okay in an open relationship. Is it normal to feel such intense connection with someone else when you're not even dating them? Does anyone have advice or similar experiences?