I have a few posts on this situation.
Brief background: 2 months ago I (23M) asked out a mutual friend (23F). She told me“I'm not sure if there's anything there romantically but I wouldn't be opposed to hanging out. I'm just not looking for anything serious until after i graduate.” I interpreted it in 2 ways. Either she’s actually not sure and doesn’t want to shut the idea down completely or it’s just a no. I went with the “if it ain’t yes, its no”.
2 weeks ago, while hanging out with friends, her best friend told me it wasn’t a hard no. But since she really didn’t seem interested in me I ignored it. She also has graduated.
I asked her out as I just wanted to get to know her better. I really didn’t know her all that well. Well, I just got back from a 3 day trip with her and our friends. It was a really fun trip. We have a lot more in common and seem to mesh really well. We had a lot of flirtatious banter. Not only do I find her more attractive than before, I believe she sees me in a better light now. I think asking her out 2 months ago got her thinking. I believe I wasn’t on her radar before but it seems I am now.
I didn’t outright talk to her about dating or anything directly flirtatious as I didn’t want to make things weird. I went the subconscious route. Eye contact. I get lost in her eyes so this was easy.