Yo reporter.
The best advice I have read, and I've done it accidentally as a natural AFC in the past, is to have something you are already doing that DOESN'T make her the event.
This is very MM but it happens naturally in the world and usually works.
Like making arrangements to go to some cool bar with mates, and telling her that you are going and that she should come along.
That way wether she flakes or not, she still knows you are having a good time with or without her. No neediness.
The other thing, and this one requires a little more thought I think, is to have a few chores or an outing planned, like clothes shopping, where you can squeeze in a bit of lunch or something.
Another is to have a dinner or barbecue planned, where you have to go to the shops to get supplies for the night, this way she can tag along and you and her can have fun shopping for the event and then DHV amongst friends later on.
These are not my own inventions, but like I say, I have done them naturally in the past.
At least this way, you aren't putting it out there to be too forward, or rejected.
You can play it innocent and under the radar and just be Mr Smooth, escalating the tension and comfort all the way.
