Dating

Girl acts very flirty in front of our mutual friends, but weird when we are alone?

A good friend of mine in the same group and I have been flirting with increasing intensity since she broke up with her long distance ex (been about 4 months since now). Our flirting has gotten to the point where multiple people have asked if we are dating and regularly we get teased about it. We both lightly lean into the teasing to each other sometimes. She definitely treats me different than her other guy friends and it's all green flags except for one thing. Anytime we are alone and in a good situation for me to ask her out, her body language changes for the worse so I don't ask her out, or she preempts an excuse as to why she is busy without me asking. Sometimes I know she is busy and other times she's busy with things that she could move for a date. Recently, I have been stressed, which has probably manifested itself as a bit of neediness towards her. Maybe that was starting to turn her off, but I tried to give myself/ her space recently, and she seems to have notice and pushed towards closing that gap. She and I are also both the anxious type. I'm worried she is just using my attention/validation to get over her ex. But it seems she is legitimately interested since she's letting are friends think we are starting to date. Why is she flirty around friends but weird alone? Is this a sign I should just take my time and let attraction build?
Girl acts very flirty in front of our mutual friends, but weird when we are alone?
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