You could always toss out one of the old "hypothetical situations". Set your phone alarm to your ringtone and set it for like 1 min, 2 mins, 3 mins, 4 mins, so it's just blowing your shit up, then go talk to her about work. Then, when your phone keeps "ringing", mildly complain that your "friend" came to you about this problem. He coincidentally is in the exact same scenario you're in and doesn't know what to do. Then ask her, what would you tell this guy? If she's smart, which she probably is, she'll get what's going on pretty quickly but since you're not being a douchebag, she'll probably feel complimented instead of freaked the fuck out and either you'll get her or you'll flatter her a little bit.