Really need some outside perspective.

I (M 28) was part of a professional cohort recently. There was a woman (30 F, independent lawyer) there. We weren’t particularly close in the group setting, but after I left the city, she started messaging me directly.

She:

Initiated conversation.

Sent me updates about her solo trip (food pics, beach videos, etc.).

Teased lightly.

Replied consistently.

Seemed engaged.

It felt like selective attention, not group-friend energy.

After a few days, I asked her for coffee after some brief texting.

She couldn’t that evening (retirement party), immediately suggested the next morning, but also said she could ask another guy from our cohort (let’s call him John Doe) to join.

That confused me.

To me, coffee was clearly framed as a 1-on-1 meet.

The suggestion of adding a third person made me question whether I overestimated her interest.

I had to head out of town next morning and told her we’ll plan once I’m back. She said “Sure.”

No rejection. No strong enthusiasm either.

Now I’m trying to figure out:

Did I overcalculate her interest based on the earlier texting?

Is suggesting a third person a soft way of keeping it friendly?

Or is this just normal ambiguity in early stages?

Just trying to calibrate better in future interactions.

Appreciate honest takes.

Thanks