So i'll preface this submission by saying that I'm probably in the friendzone, and that i'm historically bad with seducing women (I don't have a lot of experience with playing the game.) The context is, we've known of each other (as acquaintances) since early 2000's/college years, and haven't been in touch for the past 4-5 years. Always found her attractive, but we were either in relationships or not near each other. We're both living in a different, major metropolitan city now (I just started work this year), and we've caught up over dinner and drinks a few times since my moving here earlier this year. After a few hangouts (I'm hesitant to say they were dates since it wasn't expressed), on July 4th, she suggested cooking dinner, watching the fireworks on my rooftop, with drinks and a movie in between. I got sloppy drunk and made a sloppy advance (cringe) and didn't see her again (she contacted me) for another month. Kinda forced my hand in telling her I 'liked' her by calling me out for what happened on July 4th.

So flash forward to today:

I left for Europe to go backpacking by myself for two weeks (posted lots of cool pics on Instagram, which she would comment on,) and almost immediately after my plane landed upon my return (last Weds.,) she texted me to grab lunch (I was literally walking through customs, and did not mention to her when I'd be back.) Got to the lunch spot first, but upon arriving, she voluntarily sat down on my side of the table to cozy up next to me. Had a playful talk about how she's been thinking about things and how she's never really dated someone perfect on paper before, (which she brings up because her parents have never approved of any guy in the past. Whether or not it is actually important or not is another story.) I joke around with her with a "Like me? I'm pretty good on paper", which elicited a positive response, giggle + "yeah you are..." [I'm a doctor, but I don't really bring that up with her/anyone because I put more stock in my personality than what I do for a living.]) Lunch ends with her saying..."well if you're in town this weekend, we should grab drinks on Friday." I admit that I did not escalate physically, given the opportunities here with her sitting next to me.

Friday-

She makes reservations for some restaurant in her area of the city. Have a few drinks in me and for some reason that is beyond me, I decide to ask her/put her on the spot with the question of what was going on between us. She's shocked, gives me a "we're just friends" type response. I feel like there were some thinly veiled conversation topics throughout the remainder of the night that she would bring up to try to get a rise out of me, like how there have been guy friends in the past that had tried to change their relationship from platonic --> romantic, and that she would consider them. Didn't get my head in the game to pursue that conversation further. Or her asking me what my type was, or if I was interested in anyone at work (there are, but I didn't divulge much information about them, I think because I'm more interested in this girl.)

Note between coming home from Europe last Weds, this girl has been txting/gchatting me every day about hanging out (which is new since getting back from Europe.) Just wondering how to proceed from here, because this is awfully confusing. I think I realized my first mistake was just "talking" about this shit v.s. physically acting upon the initial attraction. Putting her on the spot on Friday was a mistake, because it's possible that she became defensive (that's my rationalization at least. I'm not taking her 'we're friends' seriously because of it...unless you guys convince me otherwise, and I should just bail and focus on other things/girls.) Other pitfalls I'm starting to think I fall victim to is that I've been too available lately (like going straight from the airport to grab lunch with her at her very whim on Weds.) Just wondering how to proceed from here, or if you guys think Friday's screw up is salvageable, or if this girl is even interested in the first place.

Thanks seddit!