Questions: Dating

Hi!

We had our first date about three weeks ago. First date did go almost fully by the book "chemistry", although we didn't kiss. After the date she gladly wants to go out again, but as friends, BUT she admit she's open for more. So I guess she use "friend" as take things slow, but I'm not quite sure.

But I get mixed signals.

• She never initiates contact, even mostly a week of radiosilence. - Is this uninterested behavior or Hard to get?
• Always replies, and are engaging In her replies. Her replies goes from, in midday some hours later, coz of work. But in evening from 5min to within 1hour.
• She have recently stepped out (5months ago) from a 9 year relationship. - I guess this is why she put me "temporarily" as friends.
• She's vague about making plans. But always reschedule them if something "more important" comes up.

Is she playing mindgames or just not interested?

To me, it seems like that’s how its gonna be. Most women don’t want to date men who are at an older age and have no experience, so I get the feeling that guys in this situation are stuck in a catch-22 of going out on dates, only to be rejected every time once the woman finds out he has no experience. So basically dating really just an endless cycle of rejection for older inexperienced men.

I met this girl on dating app, we exchanged numbers and agreed to meet. I had to drive really far to meet her and park my car in a secure place so I spent money on fuel and parking. But she never showed up. I confirmed with her the night before and she said that she would reach there. The place is only 10m away from her house. Now I am really upset because I wasted my time and money to drive two hours, wait another hour and drive two hours back. Now the question is that should I ask her for the petrol and parking money?

I messaged later “Hey (name), hope you got home ok and thanks for a nice evening. 🙂” and she replied “Home safe and sound 👌🏻 Thanks to you too!”