Keep a date going when the conversation runs dry

Her message tells you more than the quiet itself. If she says the last half hour got weird but doesn't say why, she's probably bringing it up because she noticed too and wants to see whether you did. People who are bored usually just stop replying fast. People who are interested but unsure tend to name the awkwardness, which is what she's doing here.

Look at what she kept. She mentioned the specific moment, the check, and then closed warmly. That's not a door shutting. Pay attention to whether she asks you anything back. If the message is all statement and no question, she may be waiting to see if you'll take the lead.

Acknowledging the lull is the fastest way to end it. Say it plainly, in one line, and treat it as something you both felt rather than your fault. Apologizing makes the moment bigger than it was and puts her in the position of reassuring you.

Then move the conversation to something she has an opinion on. Pick a detail from the date you actually remember, like a story she told or something she said about her work, and ask about the next part of it. A question about a specific thing gets a real answer. A question like what do you like to do for fun gets a list back and the same dead air. Keep it to one clear ask so she has an easy reply.

If she messaged you after the date, reply the same day, but not in the same minute. A few hours is fine and reads as normal. Waiting until the next morning is also fine if the date ended late. Keep your reply about the same length as hers, since matching her pace is the simplest way to show you're on the same page.

If you sent the last message and the chat has gone quiet, wait about a day before following up. One follow-up is reasonable. Make it lighter than the first, maybe a comment on something she mentioned or a link to something she'd like. If that gets nothing, let it go. Two unanswered messages in a row means the conversation is done, and a third is just pressure.