Long time reader and know rp works. Lifting and getting swole shamed is real. Approaching idgaf works etc. huge changes by implementing it all together.

I can approach no problem. Was approaching with less escalation previously and got numbers which felt good but numbers didn't amount to much after that consistently. So started escalating immediately and as far as possible with no goal of getting number and got my first makeout in the initial approach for the first time.. Great feeling.

I recently approached a girl and was hitting it off. Light kino Etc. she was pretty receptive with twirling hair a little bit caressing herself angling towards me Etc. Guy she was with comes over and I welcome him in the convo tapping him like he's my bro and I'm in the group no problem. I got the feeling he might be with the girl so didn't want to keep escalating higher with the girl so as I'm talking to the dude I ask if they are together (she didn't hear). Turns out they used to date but now they are best friends. He didn't appear to be white knighting me as I continued with the girl but it wasn't the same as before he got there.

My question is how do you find out if the girl is with a dude without taking away from the progression you're making with the chick? (Edit- also if he is the bf I don't want to run the risk of getting clocked in the face lol). Asking seems like a non dominant characteristic and would detract from the escalation progression. How do you handle those situations?

On mobile... Forgive formatting.