What does it mean when he calls you babe or dear?

[Anonymous]

Me and this guy started as friends on first time met. May be like friends with benefits or something i am not sure. But we flirt, kissed and have sex from the first time we met. And after the first time we met he started calling me Babe or Dear on text. We are still texting even until now. We have been seeing each other for 3 times already.. all hv sex of course.

What do you think? does pet names mean anything here? Are we dating or just friends with benefits?

Updates

+1 y

Also please let me know why would you think "it is" or "it is not"

[topramen1565]

The chemistry between you two is causing him to become really attached to you through sex and he's falling in love with you. Either that or force of habit. From my understanding, guys fall in love through sex because we like the physical contact which makes us feel wanted

[IronLady6354]

It means he wants to move far enough into a relationship with you that he can start calling you cute "you're my girlfriend" sort of nicknames

[spartan55]

Oh my, so you think pet names = dating? Wow.