Dating a friend / what signals to rely on?

[calisunshine]

We are in our early 20's and we have been friends for less than a year. We usual talked at the occasional party. About a month ago, she suddenly started inviting me to everything, about 2 times a week and usually her bestest friend or family are with us. It was unprecidented because I was sure she had better/more local friends than me she could invite out, or maybee she did and they are always busy. She also invited me to thanksgiving with her family and the only other person invited is her best friend. She then made a side comment about how the family would think we are dating but I can't decide if the tone was joking or warning to keep me from thinking it means something more.

 

Just before sharply showing more interest in having me around, I became single, had a really deep convo with her about her, showed some interest in dating her friend (think she got jealous?), and generally changed my approach towards and desires about women. Im pretty sure I have more to offer than her prev bf's, like being sincere, sticking around, staying in the area, humor, not obsessive etc and that she is perceptive enough to know it.

 

It seems like the most reliable signals are how she treats me compared to other guys, how often she touches me, and where she leads the conversation. When we touch she doesn't pull away quickly or anything, she seems happy when I hug her three times before leaving, if things are quiet at a party she looks at me and gives a huge smile/grin, she occasionaly seems to get sad or fiesty if I leave her for the night. I think she gives me somewhat more respect and attention than other guys. She sorta announced when she broke it off with the last guy she was dating and is single. She's also the one who convinced me that dating friends is possible, in response to my new "friends first" approach towards dating.

 

So to test things further I tried excessive flirting by asking questions about sex, and then immediately proceeding with relationship/dating preference questions and she responded with interest. The only negative signals I have are that she usually invites me out or accept invites at the last minute, and sometimes flirts with me a lot and other days not so much.

 

What are some next steps - tests to try on her - signals to look for that can give me some better clues? Thanks

[Green]

I would have tested things with a kiss or some friendly petting or both. go for a kiss you fool... she'll lose interst if she ever had any. the kiss hooks them they need more

[monkey00]

make your move soon, she sounds very interested. A girl that will agree to your plans last minute is making herself very available for you - a good sign. A girl with low interest level would play hard to get/make excuses.

 

Anytime i hang out with female friends, usually after a few times if nothing happens they try to keep a distance (such as meeting up)...however they would never deny me a chance to speak to them over the phone. IME, i notice that after awhile of hanging out with a girl if they notice you dont make a move they either -

 

A) lose interest

B) play hard to get

Result is they start distancing themselves from you; move on.

[Green]

I say option A) will happen to u if you dont act sooner then later just go for a kiss dont even talk about sex or relations or what ever just go in for the kiss

[FallenTree]

She may be showing interest sometimes and not showing interest at other times because she may be worried about hurting the friendship...It always sucks when you're really good friends with a person, decide to date, that doesn't work..then the whole not friends anymore. It's happened to me, and it's sad.