I (27m) and developing a crush on a coworker (34f), how do I proceed?

[Anonymous]

Some background on myself: I have a masters of engineering degree, great mostly work from home job, no debt, currently living at home to save for a house and help parents. I’ve never had a girlfriend, and the only time I was kissed is when I was 15 and a girl I didn’t want pushed me up against a wall and kissed me…lol.

I met a woman at work who I mostly work with remotely. She’s very cute, but also driven and good at her job. When we meet 1:1 we’re very serious and stick to business, but aren’t afraid to open up about our lives every now and then. She likes to joke with me and I’ve noticed that when we meet in groups in person, she makes eye contact with me more than anyone else in the group. In most of the remote team calls I’m the only man, and I’ll see her looking into the camera smiling and occasionally checking to make sure that her hair bun is staying perfect looking and isn’t coming undone. It’s very endearing.

When we go out together at lunch she dresses up beautifully. Usually a nice dress and hair in a bun with a colored scrunchie of sorts (she must have a million of these because I don’t think she’s ever worn the same color/pattern twice). I love her styles.

I would never have the guts to pursue her unless she showed clear signs of liking me (physical touch, straight up telling me), but she intrigues me a lot. Sometimes she can be a bit cold at work because she takes things quite seriously and has admitted to having a lot of anxiety, but I still like her anyways.

I guess this is more of a vent than anything else, I haven’t had a crush in a long time after effectively giving up on dating years ago lol!

[Truthatanycost]

How to proceed? by never mixing business with pleasure, focusing only on the job at hand and keeping it professional at all times.

[Guy13]

Damn... even you are doing better than me !!

[Asker]

Not with women 😅

[Guy13]

I get the 50-55. I put grey highlights in my hair just hoping to get the girls my age to start talking to me instead of the 45-60 year olds... What's your secret... I'm not poor either... advanced degree... hard assets. What is your secret?

[CA4444]

It’s cute, you could ask her out and enjoy her company :)

[Asker]

I’m glad you find it cute! The last few days she’s been in a very bad mood at work unfortunately. I don’t think I’ll ever ask her out, but it felt good to share how I feel anyways. She has such elegant styles when she dresses up nicely, maybe one day I can find a creative way to compliment her which would make her day a little brighter

[CA4444]

This is a good idea, she will probably be impressed or like that you notice and like her style.

[Asker]

I’m not sure if it would be weird to say “ I love how your scrunchie always matches your dress” but that’s kind of what I think

[CA4444]

I would like it 😃 I wouldn’t think it’s weird, I would think oh this guy may have a crush on me…

[Asker]

Yeah unless she doesn’t like me at all 😂. She has been rather cold to me lately for whatever reason… but in the past when I’ve talked about moving to her town she’s like “and we could be neighbors!!” and she humble brags to me about how she’s gotten herself in great shape. She’s kind of odd. But yes, I do find her styles awfully cute and attractive. She could definitely turn me on rather effortlessly if she wanted to