So there's this woman I've been friends with for a few years. For most of that time she was in a relationship, but quite a while back she broke up with her boyfriend. She's part of this small group of people I see in person to not go insane from social isolation. Hanging out with her the past couple months has been different, she's been so much more vibrant and confident, and I think we've been flirting, I've been trying to flirt with her a bit, I think she's been flirting back, I never was very good at it, and I'm kinda hampered with having had both my parents being abusive and all my exes being shitty in various ways (codependancy, woo!)
Anyways, I kinda like her and would like to ask her out, but we're in the middle of a terrible pandemic.
I prefer asking in person, but I'd need a neutral space for that (eg, not her place or my place), the only things I can think of are asking to hang out at a park, and then asking on a date at the end of the hang out sesh, which I feel is kinda weird. Asking to hang out at a park, so you can ask on a date, probably to the same park.
Or I could just deal with my own anxiety and text.
What do y'all recommend?
Also what to actually do as a date if she accepts? I don't feel comfortable going to a cafe or patio bar, but we could get coffees to go and hang out at a park. Or I could bring like a thermos and cups.
Ideas?
Given that you know each other already, I would be careful to not get your signals crossed, e.g. if you're not explicit about your meet up being a "date," your friend might not know that a one-on-one park hangout has a romantic undertone. I think I agree with ScreamoBMO. Being up front and honest is probably your best bet, but try to do it in a way that allows you to maintain your friendship if she doesn't reciprocate your feelings.