Incubus, what would ‘dating’ mean to you?
You could just try the direct approach, ask her, let’s see, ‘are you free to date?’
May I suggest taking her to a beach? Or borrowing a boat to picnic on a deserted island? Just be on the lookout for galloping horses!
This old married fart has little to add other than enjoy it as it goes. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, her, or the relationship to early. Concentrate first on having fun and being fun to be with. Don’t do what you think “a date/boyfriend” would be expected to do. Do what you think would be fun and interesting to do. Only then, worry about where any relationship will go - if anywhere. If she is having fun with you, it will be a while before she starts wondering whether you are moving too slow. But if you come of as overly hungry for a particular type of relationship, you risk turning her off quickly.
Disclaimer, this comes from a guy who always had many many girls as friends, but precious few girlfriends.
Oh yeah - don’t sweat the $ thing. Sounds like you don’t exactly have an excess of it. Take advantage of all the free and cheap things to do during the summer.
Go get 'em Incubus!
Sounds like you’re rockin’ it…so keep it up.
Summer lovin’…
You know, reading my fellow doper’s suggestions, it made me realize that I would have a better time not puzzling about how she feels about me, or whether she and I are dating, or other silly curiosities or paranoia. If I just go out and have a fun time, then it doesn’t matter to myself what I call it.