Top 10 Best Friends to Lovers Kisses

Creddie’s unrequited love story was practically a running gag in the original series. Honestly, we generally didn’t think anything more would come of it. That is, until the series’ revival. When we rejoined the “iCarly” gang years later, it became clear that this love story wasn’t so one-sided anymore. It takes time for their stars to align, but the moment is worth the wait. After a falling out, Carly manages to gather some previously thought-to-be lost photos, reminding her friend of some of their happiest memories. Carly tells Freddie how much he means to her and that she wants to be with him. He, of course, reciprocates and…. Our teenage hearts jumped for joy.

In season one, Simon meets Daphne Bridgerton, and practically, before anyone’s tea has a chance to cool, he’s fallen for her. Only one problem: she’s his good friend Anthony’s little sister, and he does not approve. Anyway, they initially fake a relationship during which a real friendship develops. Even so, the tension between them is palpable, constantly leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. Yet, despite all those longing looks and lingering touches, it took four episodes until we finally got that long-awaited kiss. A heated argument leads Simon to follow Daphne to the garden, and the intensity of the moment consumes them. Who needs a coal fire with that kind of heat?

This one was destined in the stars, glow stars, that is. Jonah was clearly smitten from the beginning, but Amy was still married. Still, there’s nothing to make you throw caution to the wind more than, well, strong winds that come with a safety caution. The Cloud Nine Superstore employees and their customers go into lockdown when a tornado siren sounds. When the storm tears through the store, the pair hold on to each other in terror, ultimately seeking comfort in each other’s lips. It would take a while for these two to become an item, but the winds of change had already started to blow them toward one another.

From the moment Mulder and Scully entered our lives, we could sense a romantic spark between them. There was the odd flirtation here and a strong desire there, but ultimately, their romantic feelings remained largely unspoken. However, things took a turn in season six. We don’t mean the kiss Mulder shares with an alternate-universe Scully after he’s sent back in time. A few episodes after that, Scully admits she has feelings for Mulder and talks about how good relationships often start as friendships. Yet, fans had to wait until Season 7, and a new millennium’s impending doom, for the much-anticipated kiss. Nothing makes people want to be together like the thought of everything falling apart, huh?

Jake and Amy’s friendship begins as a friendly rivalry. Luckily, this dynamic makes them a great team. On this occasion, they go undercover as an engaged couple while tracking down an identity fraudster. To make their cover believable, they engage in a little smooching, but you know, just as professional colleagues. They end up catching the guy, but that becomes a footnote to the shift in their relationship. Still, they decide to just stay friends until Captain Holt drops some bombshell news: he’s leaving. Jake finds Amy taking a quiet moment of contemplation, and the pair discuss this big change. Speaking of changes, they share another kiss, but this time, it’s definitely for real.

These two first meet when David decides to launch a new business, and Patrick helps him fill out some forms, or at least tries to. Patrick becomes a more hands-on colleague, but as Alexis and Stevie point out, it’s not just the business he’s invested in. After David’s birthday dinner, Patrick drives him back to the motel and finally lays his feelings on the table. David reciprocates by planting one on him. It’s a sweet moment between the two, filled with warmth, vulnerability, and a genuine connection. Patrick’s post-kiss confession just makes the moment even more tender and heartfelt. We just knew this would be a relationship worth rooting for, and we were not disappointed.

When Leslie and Ben first met, we couldn’t have imagined them becoming friends, let alone anything more. However, they soon grow to like each other, and eventually, all these other feelings come bubbling to the surface. There’s just one issue: Chris has a strict no-workplace romance rule. Things get a tad more complicated when the colleagues are sent on a road trip together and must do everything in their power not to give in to temptation. Indeed, Leslie out-Leslies herself to keep things platonic and professional. However, later, when she drops by with some receipts, Ben seizes the moment. It’s sweet and romantic. We love this moment and we like this moment.

Erm, Dawson, and Joey, who? Many fans will tell you this series’ central couple was Joey and Pacey— and boy, did they make us wait for it! At first, the pair had a somewhat tumultuous dynamic marked by endless banter and bickering. However, beneath it all was a genuine affection and connection. Their relationship takes another step in season three when, while driving Joey home from Boston, Pacey pulls over to discuss their relationship status. When words fail, he finds another way to let his lips do the talking. While this isn’t their first kiss, it’s the one that transitions their relationship from friendship to something more. It also feels like it set the stage for Stefan and Caroline’s relationship in “The Vampire Diaries.”

Nick’s heart skipped a beat practically from the first moment he laid eyes on Jessica Day. It took her a little longer to realize she felt the same way, too. The romantic tension between them came to a head during an intense game of True American in season two. In fact, they spend a chunk of the evening trying not to kiss— Nick even climbs out the window just to avoid any lips locking. Later, when they’re alone, Nick shows Jess the kind of first kiss he had envisioned for them. It’s honestly one of the series’ steamiest moments. While a romantic relationship was still someway down the road, we couldn’t help but squeal in delight.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Monica Geller & Chandler Bing, “Friends” (1994-2004)
We Only See This Moment In a Flashback, but It Brings Back All the Feels from When We First Learned They’d Hooked Up

Temperance “Bones” Brennan & Seeley Booth, “Bones” (2005–17)
Even They Seemed Taken Aback That It Finally Happened

Eleanor Shellstrop & Chidi Anagonye, “The Good Place” (2016-20)
This Moment Takes Them from Soulmates to Soulmates

Charlotte York & Harry Goldenblatt, “Sex and the City” (1998–2004)
Technically, They Went from Lawyer & Client to Lovers, but Let’s Not Caught Up on Jargon, This Is the Moment

Robin Scherbatsky & Barney Stinson, “How I Met Your Mother” (2005-14)
Who Saw This Coming?

Talk about a slow burn! We waited seven seasons for something to happen between these two. It was love at first sight for Niles, but Daphne was totally oblivious to his feelings until years later. However, by the time she realizes she, too, wants something more than friendship, fate continues to keep them apart. Then, the night before Daphne’s wedding to another man, Niles, who is now married, decides to take a leap of faith and bears his heart to her. After several interruptions, they continue their conversation on the balcony. That’s when we finally got the moment we’d been waiting for all this time. Talk about leaving it until the eleventh hour!

Which friend-to-lovers kiss do you think had the most spark? Let us know in the comments.