You've heard from him. But how? We explain what his message means for your romance.

So your man's working late. He's smart enough to know that you need to know. Not counting smoke signals, there are more ways than one to get in touch, each with its own meaning. Here's the lowdown:

He calls
In the early days of the relationship, this shows he's courageous and decisive, explains Rinehart: "It shows he's clearly interested." He's probably also "an emotionally available man who wants to be connected to a woman on a deeper level," adds psychologist Dr Yvonne Thomas.

If your partner likes to ring you, whether it's just because he saw something funny on 'The Chaser' he thinks you'd appreciate, or to check dinner plans, he obviously likes hearing your voice.


He emails
Email is one-way communication that says, "I'll leave the ball in her court," says Dr Chérie Carter-Scott, author of 'If Life Is A Game, These Are The Rules'. Which isn't to say you're just an obligation: "He simply may not want to have long conversations, but still wants to do right by you and keep in touch," says Dr Thomas.

She also says PC talk can turn a shy soul into a braveheart: "A man might say more than he ever would in person." Though you should probably follow up his feelings in the flesh.


He sends an SMS
"This can be really, really good, or really bad," says Rinehart. SMS-ing is an excellent way to say a quick "can't wait to see you later" - it shows your partner is efficient, but nurturing.

But if you've just started dating - or not even dating - it could be a booty call, cautions Rinehart: "If that's what you want, that's fine, but if it's late on a Friday and he's clearly had a few beers you may be the 'fall-back chick' - he hasn't found himself another woman at the pub so he dials you." Not good.


He Facebooks
The "MySpace for grown-ups" draws 100 new Australian users every hour. It's an easy, unconfrontational way to make contact. Public contact.

"Mr Facebook is confident and interested - he's telling the world he's attracted to you," says Dr Traci Coventry, WH's sex and relationships advisor. So be careful what you give away online. "Have you ever discussed a relationship issue with friends, only to wish you hadn't when they start to analyse what he's said and done? Multiply this by 1000.... Think twice before you type!".