Should I talk to my friend from work about getting together now that she got a new job?

[restop99]

Last year she asked me out and we had fun, then I asked her out and things got kinda awkward, we drew apart, likely because we work together. I say that because now she told me she got a new job and has been again hanging around me a lot as she did last year

She's sitting close to me at work, touching my leg, knees, thigh arm etc to call my attention, ask shit, show me something when we're slacking off work, etc. I rarely touch her myself though. She is now always stopping me to chat when I see her outside of the building, telling me playfully to shut up when I'm bothering her and containing her laugh at dumb shit I say when we hang out. All things we used to do before we went out once but stopped completely when things got awkward

The other day, a friend saw us and said he thought we were dating. Neither of us said anything besides a small laugh. I didn't see her initial reaction but we looked at each other after a few seconds and her face was, normal, just smiling at each other as usual.

I'm not even sure how to bring it up, and how to be ready for her answer seems it seems she's wants something again but I'm not sure, and if it ends like last year that will definitely bring me down, again. We have a bit of a complicated past so I'm just unsure, should I talk to her about "us"? Just want to be ready for any reaction so any help is appreciated

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you have a bit of a complicated history with this person, and it's understandable that you're feeling unsure about how to approach the situation. Ultimately, the decision about whether to talk to her about "us" is up to you, and it will depend on your own feelings and what you hope to gain from the conversation.

If you do decide to talk to her, it may be helpful to approach the conversation with openness and honesty. You could try saying something like, "Hey, I've been noticing that we've been spending a lot of time together lately, and I'm wondering if there's something more there. I enjoyed going out with you last year, but things got a bit awkward after that. I just wanted to see where you're at and if you might be interested in exploring things again."

It's important to be prepared for any answer she might give, whether it's a yes, no, or maybe. If she's not interested, it's important to respect her decision and continue to maintain a professional relationship at work. If she is interested, it may be helpful to establish clear boundaries and discuss how you can navigate a potential relationship while still working together.

Ultimately, it's important to prioritize your own well-being and make sure that you're comfortable with whatever decision you make. If you're feeling unsure, it may be helpful to seek support from a trusted friend or a therapist who can offer guidance and perspective.