I matched with some girl on tinder I know from a few years ago back in school. She dated some guy I was somewhat friendly with back in school, to be honest I found the guy a bit annoying. I haven't talked to him in over a year, although he is good friends with some of my best mates.

To me, it wasn't therefore unreasonable to ask her for her number and then say lets go for drinks:

tiny bit of small talk first

Me: Let's grab drinks. 8 pm on Wednesday.

Her: Yeah sure, just to make sure is this like a date?

Me: yeah of course

Her: Ah I can’t really date you though, you’re friends with (ex boyfriend)

How can I play this? I want to smash. Is she looking for plausible deniability or is this a polite rejection?