How can I start to grow interest between me and a friend to revisit the idea of dating?

We never really got to dating, I rushed things she had feelings for her last guy at the time so it wasn't going to work, but we said that we'll keep that door open as it's fair if we wanted to give it another go in the future but keep as friends

Thing is I do think this is why she has kept me at arms length since I introduced her to my friend group, last month after being a bit distant with me she asked to go on a walk with her where we joked about pretty much everything friends, sex, work, all sorts. The biggest takeaway I got was she said she wasn't looking for anything romantic just a bit of fun, I said the same but I feel this was her way to try push it into something further, as since we know eachother pretty well dating seems redundant, and her last guy was someone that developed out of a situationship

Shortly after a situation developed between us where a mutual friend out of jealosy was twisting things as she is bisexual, it created a bit of a issue around the friend group so after a few weeks not speaking now we're back talking again, but I do want to get back to that stage that we were at as I felt like that was absolutely starting something, and honestly part of me still has that interest.

I am scheduled to meet her and the mutual friend on the 3rd next month after new years as the mutual is coming in for a visit, I'm nervous but I'm hoping things can move into the right direction

What can i do here to help things?

How can I start to grow interest between me and a friend to revisit the idea of dating?
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