Birthday Conundrum, from rejected girl?

I meet this girl at work she's super sweet and we've been friends for 6 months or so. I used to see her at work. But since lockdown began here, we've been working from home. We started texting each other everyday, for the past few months.

Recently lockdown lifted, so a week ago, I grew a pair and asked her if she'd like to go on a date. She rejected saying we're just friends and that's all she see. I decided to accept it gracefully. I mean we're friends and I do like that. However, she texts me every day and night even more. I kept the conversation going any few days after that on the weekend is her birthday I brought up the birthday but noticed she flinched, so I quickly decided to mention I had weekend get away plans. I mean let's face it I really liked the girl and space is good for me. I did notice her ease up and stuff. She was texting me more. Then the weekend of the birthday came. I noticed her being uncomfy about me going away, scratches head.

Anyway the day I was supposed to go noticed her pull away and that's fine she's a friend right? Unfortunately shit happened (I don't know sign of universe maybe) and I couldn't go. So I texted her in the afternoon trips cancelled. I was aware she was going to get something from work but I removed myself from being in charge, cus I saw the sexual tension there. Anyway I checked up on her gift receipt and told her my trip got cancelled. She was genuinely surprised as she was thinking Id be gone. I was like I'm fine I got this making other plans, you have fun. Next day asked her about her birthday wishes her showed a bit of excitement, but nothing crazy.

I keep pondering should I have asked her out again even after being shot down a week ago? Or did I do the right thing by making some space and boundaries, I mean let's face it I'm not entirely free and she's just a friend, nothing special.

I also thought at the end of the weekend, look this is not going anywhere, got better things to do.
Birthday Conundrum, from rejected girl?
Post Opinion