Coworker vented about a guy early on. Later texted "hey u up," chatted hours on Christmas & said "I want to be close." Was she into me?

[Anonymous]

I need help decoding this timeline because I’m confused if I was friend-zoned or if I missed a huge green light.
The Context:
We were coworkers with a weird on/off dynamic. I never made a move because I wasn't sure.
Why I thought I was Friend-Zoned (The Early Days):
Early on, she swiped up on my Snapchat late at night. We talked, but she used the time to vent about a situation with another guy she was talking to. I assumed this meant I was just the "safe guy friend" or a therapist to her, so I mentally backed off.
The Signs that happened MONTHS Later:
The Bank Trip: She sacrificed her lunch break to walk me to the bank. It was quiet (I thought she was bored), but she texted me that same night: "Hey u up."
The "Texting First" Test: I announced at work, "I'm not texting anyone first anymore." She was the only person who texted me first that night to keep the conversation going.
Christmas Day: We were both off work. She gave me her number and we texted for hours. During this conversation, she explicitly said "I want to be close."
My Question:
Did the fact that she vented about that other guy in the beginning mean I was permanently friend-zoned? Or did the "I want to be close" comment override that? I never escalated because I was stuck on the fact that she talked to me about another guy.

[Anonymous]

Given how many times you’ve posted this you absolutely missed your window. Move on now.

[Asker]

Is it yes or no?

[Anonymous]

Texting at that hour is a classic subconscious neuro-linguistic hack. She is analyzing your availability parameters. Remain aloof.

[Anonymous]

I think maybe she's moving on to the next guy...

[Opinion Owner]

The next guy is you by the way

[Asker]

Think so? Can you explain why you think that?

[Opinion Owner]

she's talking about another guy... maybe realizing its not gonna work. So she tells you she wishes she was close to you. But before I move further whats the context about her and the other guy?

[Asker]

I don't know. I remember initially she told me she was talking to someone. I'm not sure if she is in a relationship with him.

[Opinion Owner]

I doubt it. Maybe she told you to get you jealous. I think you should maybe talk to her more and just get to know her

[Asker]

Why would she say it to make me jealous? She told me she was talking to someone prior. The first time she opened up about that situation it came after I posted about my cousin being in jail on Snapchat. Remember we are coworkers.

[Opinion Owner]

I don't know maybe she felt you weren't chasing her hard enough. But these thoughts.. im kinda just guessing... it could go either way there can be multiple possibilities

[Asker]

Yeah I know nobody could really read someone's mind. I thought she was trying to friend zone me.

[Opinion Owner]

Lol I doubt it

[Asker]

I thought when a girl vents to you about a situation with another guy she is friend zoning you. Or is the fact we are coworkers different?

[Opinion Owner]

Yea thats true too... I dont think being co workers matters

[Asker]

I was trying to look at the situation because it did happen at night and off the clock. That isn't normal coworker behavior.

[Opinion Owner]

I agree

[Asker]

In that moment I was supportive. I didn't view it as an opportunity to jump on because I didn't want to take advantage of her vulnerability.

[Opinion Owner]

Thats fair

[Opinion Owner]

I dont have much to say but you were being cautious and that there's nothing wrong with that.

[Opinion Owner]

But next time just ask the girl where she's coming from. So there's less confusion

[queenofcardio]

Not necessarily.. She could just want to talk.