Question 1, for the ladies:

 How do you like to be asked out? Or asked to hang out? I am in a certain situation where flat out rejection would leave things unbearably awkward, she is a co-worker. Was planning on inviting her to hang out with me and some friends, and having them get some information.

Question 2, for the men: How would you go about initiating a relationship without fear of rejection? Have you ever asked a girl to hang out beforehand, and have friends ask her what is up? 

Information: This girl is very confusing. Some days she doesn't talk to me much at all, then you will have days like last Sunday, where she and I were (flirting?)* all day. I hear conversations about her and another co-worker having a thing, which were (sort-of) confirmed by her. She and him have worked together for over 9 months, while I have only been working there for 1 month. That's where I would have thrown in the towel, if not for the possible flirting. Any thoughts?

*by flirting, I mean: finding excuses to touch me, has called me cute several times, playfully fed me, always offering me a sip if her drink, but only after she's made a point of drinking from it first, saying that she would miss me after I talked about transferring, lots of other playful banter/teasing.

So what's that about? Is she flirting? Or have I just been really quickly friend-zoned? 

P.S. Girls very often call me cute, but it's always in that, "aww look at the puppy" kind of cute. This was kind of in between.
user
Help! I'm asking out
assistant
Question 1, for the ladies:

 How do you like to be asked out? Or asked to hang out? I am in a certain situation where flat out rejection would leave things unbearably awkward, she is a co-worker. Was planning on inviting her to hang out with me and some friends, and having them get some information.

Question 2, for the men: How would you go about initiating a relationship without fear of rejection? Have you ever asked a girl to hang out beforehand, and have friends ask her what is up? 

Information: This girl is very confusing. Some days she doesn't talk to me much at all, then you will have days like last Sunday, where she and I were (flirting?)* all day. I hear conversations about her and another co-worker having a thing, which were (sort-of) confirmed by her. She and him have worked together for over 9 months, while I have only been working there for 1 month. That's where I would have thrown in the towel, if not for the possible flirting. Any thoughts?

*by flirting, I mean: finding excuses to touch me, has called me cute several times, playfully fed me, always offering me a sip if her drink, but only after she's made a point of drinking from it first, saying that she would miss me after I talked about transferring, lots of other playful banter/teasing.

So what's that about? Is she flirting? Or have I just been really quickly friend-zoned? 

P.S. Girls very often call me cute, but it's always in that, "aww look at the puppy" kind of cute. This was kind of in between.
user
I am 18/F and
assistant