’19 Kids And Counting’: Joseph Duggar Goes To Dinner With Tori Bates

19 Kids and Counting star Joseph Duggar sure is spending a lot of time with the Bates family these days. So is he hanging out with them on a friendly basis, or is he courting one of the Bringing Up Bates stars?

As the Inquisitr previously reported, Joseph Duggar actually left his home in Tontitown, Arkansas to attend Crown College of the Bible in Powell, Tennessee. The school is just 30 minutes away from the Bates family home, so there’s been some speculation that Joseph decided to make the move to be closer to Tori Bates.

Joseph Duggar’s close pal Lawson Bates recently shared a Twitter photo that shows the 19 Kids and Counting star enjoying dinner with Tori at a Cracker Barrel restaurant. However, as you can see, Joseph isn’t sitting in an ideal spot to have a conversation with Tori (that’s her on the left). Instead he’s seated beside Carlin Bates. Carlin is just 16 years old, so it’s doubtful that she’s being courted by Joseph.

Can’t beat @CrackerBarrel pic.twitter.com/ZSWEu3oZ6Z

— Lawson Bates (@lawbates) January 26, 2015

Joseph Duggar and Tori Bates might not look like they’re on a chaperoned date in the photo above, but this doesn’t mean that there’s no chance for romance — Tori also attends Crown College, so she might get to know Joseph better at school.

If Tori and Joseph go out on a few dates and decide that it’s not going to work out, Joseph shouldn’t worry about their failed romance ruining the close relationship between the 19 Kids and Counting and Bringing Up Bates families. According to Radar Online, Zach Bates tried and failed to court Jana Duggar. Unfortunately for Zach, Jana simply wasn’t interested in him. The Duggar and Bates families’ friendship survived that awkward situation, so another failed courtship probably wouldn’t cause any drama.

If Joseph isn’t interested in courting Tori, the 19 Kids and Counting star might try wooing another Crown College student. He’s the first Duggar to attend a brick-and-mortar college, so he’s been presented with an opportunity that none of his siblings have had — he’s surrounded by potential mates that share his beliefs, and his parents aren’t around to meddle in his love life. He doesn’t even have an “accountability partner” to answer to.

Luckily for Joseph, he’ll know just what to do if he finds a girl who is interested in him. His mother recently shared a few inexpensive date ideas on her 19 Kids and Counting blog, and they’re perfect for someone on a college student’s budget.

“Sometimes we’ll go for a drive and just park and talk or take a walk and talk,” Michelle Duggar said in response to a 19 Kids and Counting fan’s question about what she and husband Jim Bob do when they can get away from the kids.

“Other times, we’ll go out for a coffee or ice cream, which is my favorite weekly sweet treat, or occasionally a nice meal.”

Do you think a 19 Kids and Counting star and a Bringing Up Bates star will get married someday, and do you think Joseph Duggar will find love without his family’s help while he’s studying at Crown College?

[Images via Duggar Family Blog, The Bates Family]