Part of what kept the pressure low in those days (which I remember, having been born in 1952) was that sex wasn't assumed to be on the table. I remember wondering what my chances were of getting a goodnight kiss (in general about 1 in 4 before college), but we still had a lot of fun. When I could get a date at all.

And even when you did start going steady, the progress from first kiss to sex could take months, and every step was a new thrill.

I'm with your other commenter. Look first for good conversation, then trust the rest to come along as the friendship develops.