This.
I'm speaking from experience here: the key to success in life is taking chances and interacting with the people whom you need to make things happen. Job interview--you need to get to THE hiring manager. Sales--you need to get to the DECISION MAKER. Girls--you need to actually MEET THEM.
So yes, the business/platonic comments were meant mainly to disarm her a bit but as
@flowtheory writes, she took it and even called it a "date." She also drove an hour in rush hour traffic to meet me, I walked two blocks from my office. I went into this with IDGAF, because I wanted to have some fun after work, already had my change of clothes, and was jut up for some fun and drinks. I really didn't care she had a "boyfriend" and obviously, she didn't either.
Onto the date:
She met me on time at a nice bar/restaurant. She looked really good, better than her pics, probably a 8.5/10. From Kansas, recently moved to Denver--and you could tell. We had drinks, tapas, talked, laughed and I hit her with quite a few C&F remarks, but once again, IDGAF, and it was for my own entertainment. After the tapas, I took her to a "haunted" bar built in the 1930's really cool, and then we went to another place. She touched me a few times telling stories and I stroked her a little, also, throughout. She was definitely seeing me as more than a platonic guy - trust me, I've been in the game many years and can read the signs. The wrinkle was when we went to the last place, the server said we could take our food and drinks downstairs because there was a comedy show. Initially, it sounded good so we went and grabbed good seats. The comedians were just ok. Disappointing thing was it was really loud, you couldn't talk, and we sat through maybe 5-6 of them after about an hour, so it also kind of killed the vibe we had going. Finally, I said I have to bounce and grabbed for my coat and told her to come along. We got my car and I drove her to her's. It was about 11:30 PM (Wednesday night) so we'd been hanging out for about 5.5 hours. I gave her a hug and kiss and said goodnight and drove off. That's it.
Did I have fun? YES. And that was my goal. Would she hang with me for almost 6 hours on a work night if there was no interest? Probably not.
Not sure if I'll pursue her or not. PLUSES: hot, good shape, similar interests, athletic, smart, decent job, Midwestern girl, never came off as slutty, took my C&F well--even when I teased that I thought she was maybe a bit autistic (should have seen her reaction--priceless) lol. NEGATIVES: lives more than an hour away from me is a big #1, the impending "boyfriend," and tacit acknowledgements of her being a feminist.
So, there you have it. Name of the game: MEET HER and charm her. I did. Maybe I'll see her again, maybe I won't. IDGAF, next batter up either way.
The End.
~Dash