Should I ask someone out at work if they SEEM to be interested?

[Anonymous]

I’m a TA at a primary school and I work with my dads girlfriend. Another TA works with her too and he’s my age. Super nice guy, he presses my buttons in a playful way, we catch each other looking at one another, he talks about me to the kids and even tells the kids to come tell me things may it be something sweet or a joke. To me it seems like he’s interested but won’t ask me out because we work with my dads girlfriend.
On Friday after work while shopping, my dads girlfriend told me he totally lit up when I went up talking to him about the kids and that she saw something between us but didn’t want to say something
So I’m wondering if I should invite him over for dinner or something just from the way he’s acted around me.

Thoughts?

[Ευδεμονια]

I think sincerely he’s genuinely interested in you, he showed his interest with his way of acting. And seems you’re interested too.
I think you should push a bit this nascent relationship inviting him for dinner or for an innocent date, to see and clarify what his intentions are.
Sure I’m not favourable to mix work and love, maybe you should keep your distance at work and see him outside since you work also with kids that may read things in certain ways and may spread voices.
I don’t know why you’ve fear of your dad’s girlfriend, your both are adults and you can decide for your life, she and your dad should not barge in your private life.

[Asker]

I can’t keep distance from him at work as we work alongside each other with the same kids. I was just thinking more that I’d ask him at our lunch break or possibly message and ask him though I do prefer to as in person. But thank you so much for the advice overall! Appreciate it x

[Ευδεμονια]

I know it’s difficult to keep physical distance at work, I intended it as mental / professional distance: you’re at workplace and you’ve to do your work, you should maintain your relationship as much discreeter as possible.
Maybe you can reach him out of work, after the end of your shift, you can talk freely outside and it’s a more direct way to propose than a message. Also a lunch break can be ok, if can be a work lunch as friends only to know each other.

[Asker]

Oh yes! For the most part we keep that separate and work incredibly well with the kids, I just happened to notice things seem more than just being coworkers at times. Would definitely keep work and private life separate though

[Asker]

Our work schedules are a bit mucked up at the moment with work but the times we have sat having lunch together we’ve gotten along so well with each other, both have the same look and opinions on things, etc. I am thinking of asking him on a lunch break where we have a 5 minute window to ask 😬

[Ευδεμονια]

That’s the right mentality to apply, since it’s dangerous to mix relationship and work, but if you’ll manage to maintain them separated it should work.
Sure you’ve a good entente and this is a very good basis, and it’s evident there’s mutual interest! I think it’s a good idea to ask him during lunch break, obv you’ve to find the right moment since your messed up schedule.
I hope everything will work right, I wish you both the best ☺️

[slatyb]

You should.

[TheLoneTerran]

As a guy, we're always told if she seems interested, she's just being nice or friendly. You're not special and she doesn't like you. Flip this around. It is much more likely he's just being friendly to have a positive work environment. Also, don't dip your pen in company ink, when things go south, it forces your relationship issues and/or awkwardness on others in the work place. And people have more than enough to deal with as it is without someone elses relationship drama.

[Asker]

Well first of all, neither of us are ones to create drama and instead avoid that completely. So let’s say I asked and then things went south, worst that would happen is we’d avoid each other which is INCREDIBLY easy to do. We just happen to always talk and hang out.
The first part is possibly true since I don’t know what he’s thinking or feeling

[TheLoneTerran]

Well then there's your answer. Ask him and see. Just be discrete especially if there's a power imbalance. And be mentally/emotionally prepared for how things would be if a relationship goes poorly. Good luck in asking him. Hope it's for the best!

[sheikalana]

I'd say keep things professional and do not mix your work and private life. However, if it happens it happens and it's because it was meant to be.

[msc545]

You should but you also work with him so be VERY discreet and careful.

[Asker]

How would you suggest I go about it?

[msc545]

Probably a contact outside and away from work.