Of course you ask her

You're a little nervous about it but you **** yourself to confront your fears.

"Uh, Elizabeth, want to grab a coffee during your break?"

She looks at you considering and your heart sinks to your shoes. There's a reason you never ask girls out... you're pretty sure you'd just be setting yourself up for rejection.

Finally, though, she smiles. "Sure, Mike. But my break isn't for another hour."

"No problem. I can go through the material you brought me."

An hour later, Elizabeth pulls you out from deep emersion in occult and sexual magic. You get why sex is connected with magic... the dominant religion's fixation on sex makes acceptance of sexuality a thumb in the eye of established religion... in addition to whatever actual magical properties it might have. Unfortunately, you can't persuade yourself that a working hack would depend on people rubbing their genitals together. It seems... inadequate.

She looks great and your pulse accelerates when you realize that she's touched up her makeup. If she did that for you, it must mean she's interested, right? Well, you're not positive but you do think it's a good sign.

"There's a coffee shop only a block from here." A quick Google search had given you that info.

"Oh, great."

You're not sure how to read that. But you're committed, so off you go.

The two of you chat about music, magic, and books as you walk and you send Elizabeth to grab a table while you order and pay for the coffees.

"How much was mine," she asks as you hand her the steaming mug.

"It's on me."

"But you're unemployed. And you have how many followers on your stream?"

"Not many so far but it's still on me."

One of the books you got in a Humble Bundle was about getting out of the friend zone and you're pretty sure that letting Elizabeth pay for her own coffee would be a step in the wrong direction.

"Okay, thanks." She takes a sip and smiles at you again. "So, what are we doing here?"

You take a deep breath, inhaling that special scent she has about her and forcing yourself not to stare at her tits as you answer. You've definitely read that girls prefer for you to look at their faces rather than their boobs while talking to them. It's not easy... those tits are just there, sticking out from her body, barely covered by the thin white fabric of her blouse. She's got the top buttons undone so the 'v' of her top goes deep enough that her cleavage and the top of her breasts are exposed... and you desperately want to stare. You manage to keep your eyes focused on her face... although if you catch a little boob action with your peripheral vision, you don't suppose you'll complain too much.

"I... well, want to go out with me," you blurt.

"Uh, aren't we doing that now?"

"I meant, like a date-date."

"Oh." She stares at you for about twenty seconds and you feel like you're under a microscope. "But you're married."

Interesting that she'd bothered to do a little research on you. That had to be a good sign.

"My ex dumped me for my boss's boss," you explain. "Our marriage is over."

"A lot of guys say stuff like that but then it turns out that they're just looking for a side fling."

"Listen, Elizabeth. I like you. I think you're beautiful and smart and sexy. I'd love to spend time with you. But if you're not comfortable with that--"

"I'm not saying that. I'm just... I've been hurt before."

"Me too."

She takes a deep breath. "Fine. I'll go out with you if you want."

"That's great."

"But I've got to get back to work now. I'm pretty sure my fifteen minute break ended a while ago."

{if Elizabeth_phone = false}"Give me your phone number and I'll call you to set a time, Elizabeth," you say. (You've read that girls like you to use their name. So many rules).

{else}

"Got it. I'll call you, Elizabeth." (You've also read that girls like it when you use their name. So many rules).

{endif}

"See you, Mike."

That went better than it could have, you think.