First of all, I'd like to say that I'm somewhat uncomfortable gaming HBs which are introduced through a group of friends. I screwed up two times already and some other times, things got weird, if not awkward.

So a couple of weeks ago, one of my best mates invited me to go out with him, his GF (let's call her SSS), and two other chicks, friends of SSS. One of them had a boyfriend, but the other one was single (so I heard at the restaurant). I just went out to have a nice evening out and not even for a second I had in mind gaming her.

This sort of hanging out occured for another 4 times, but the HB8 I was talking about the previous paragraph never came again, and was replaced by other female friends of SSS, all having BFs, but one in particular gave me some sexy vibes, to be honest, but I decided not to engage into someting stupid.
Yesterday tho', my friend asked me to come to a picnic (with the group), but somehow I got some things mixed up and never turned up. Later he reprimanded me by phone for not showing up in the park, but suggested we go out at 10pm.
When I got there, surpriiiise, the HB8 was present as well and tried to chat me up. All the evening I noticed she gave me some looks and even her friends emphasized at some point she had puppy eyes while listening to one of my stories (a pretty lame one actually ). Also she mentioned she waited for me at the picnic, but ended up disappointed. I must admit, the first time we guys got together I didn't even got her name, and in return, yesterday she called me several times by my nickname (if that's not an IOI, what is?!).

Well...Obviously I'm trying to listen to my gut and contact her on FB (I finally caught her name right haha), but having been through some negative experiences in the past concerning gaming in the new circle of friends, I'm having like second thoughts. As I figured out, she's one of the closest friends of SSS and I don't know what impact would have my actions on her and maybe even on my mate who practically introduced me to the group.
I'm not really into relationships and stuff so I'll def "cheat" on her, if you catch my drift. Secondly, I don't wanna go to her (or my mate) with something like "Do you think they'll mind if we go out?!". I've heard that line several times from other people and it was dreadful.

I've never read something concerning this topic on any forum, so any piece of advice would be helpful. Thx.