What do you think is going on here with this girl?

I work for a large oil company located just outside Chicago. However, my work takes me down to Houston where I have met this Vietnamese girl who works for one of our vendors. Now the nature of our work requires that we work in close proximity to one another and a friendship naturally evolved. I had always found her very attractive, but never considered us much more than friends until recently.

A little about her. She is 25 and recently graduated from college here in the states, her parents are from Vietnam. Although she grew up here, she still has a lot of the vietnamese culture in her, I would consider her 50% American, 50% Vietnamese. I am a 35 year old white male, currently single, although recently divorced (6 months ago) and a pure red blooded american.

As our friendship evolved, we exchanged personal numbers and started chatting on the phone about once a week. It was from these conversations that I started to realize that this girl is perfect for me and feelings started to develop. Whenever I would go down to Houston (I’m being transfered there permently next month) she would always go out of her way to make sure we saw each other at work. However, when promted to go out on a date, she wouldn’t say ‘no’ but a ‘yes’ wasn’t forthcomming as well.

Eventually, I got up the nerve to explain my feelings for her during a trip to Houston. When I explained that I may be willing to explore a relationship with her, she looked quite surprised (almost scared), so I took my leave of her, thinking I was receiving the wrong signals. She didn’t say much during this encounter, but wanted to make sure we were still friends. A classic American shoot down if you ask me.

However, the next day we were assigned to the same team and me not over my embaressment from the previous day did everything I could to avoid her, except for saying ‘Hi’.. However, when I did this, she looked as if she were going to cry and as I left, she followed me. I knew she wanted to talk and this time as my frienship to her to precedence I entertained her with conversation for about 30 minutes and left. She then left for my office (I didn’t know this at the time), she beat me there (knowing I was going to be there) and from there we talked for over 3 more hours. Not about the previous night, but about life and family in general. It was during this conversation that I actually fell in love with her. However, she does not know this, especially since I am afraid to tell her based off what happened the night before.

Fast forwarding 3 months, we have continued to talk (probably twice a week now), but my love for her has never been revealed. It is during many of these conversations that I am picking up non-verbal clues as to her interest in me. Crossing her legs in my direction, being more and more figgity when around me, dialated pupils etc… etc… Everything in my core tells me this girl is interested. However, a 3 weeks ago I asked her to go to dinner and she again avoided the question. Didn’t say ‘no’, but a ‘yes’ wasn’t given as well.

My question is what does anyone think is going on here? I know I have feelings for her, I believe she has feeling for me as well (I know she finds me attractive) like I have never had with another women. She is perfect for me and I know it. The only question is, is this girl using me for our friendship? or is she confused? or is it something within he culture preventing her from prusing a relationship with me? Please, if anyone can help me out here, I will be forever indebted to them. If any other questions need to be answered I could provide additional information, but I do think I nailed the most important details. Please help, I am confused.