Should I tell my work colleague who is leaving, that if she were to be single in the future, that she should reach out?
I wonder if I should plant the seed? Not with the intent to break her and her partner up, but if things were to not work out for whatever reason, she knows that I'm interested. Or the other option is that I just leave it be, and maybe monitor from the side.
More context if interested. TLDR at the bottom:
We have worked together for nearly 3 years. We always clicked as we have very similar senses of humour, we are both really sarcastic and weirdly have similar upbringings. We were both in relationships (she still is) and I have always thought she is attractive, I've had to fight of a work place crush, but she always draws me in. I never acted or indicated interest as I had a partner.
I broke up with my GF about 2+ months ago, I haven't been interested in dating or anything. However, with her leaving, I feel like I'm on a time restraint with her. She is an incredible girl. Super attractive and more importantly, we really connect on a emotional level.
In the last 6 months especially we have been spending more time together in work. I have my own room and she is on reception. But everyday we work together she comes in for a catch up (she only does this with me and knows else does this), even when she should be working. She told me about her new venture before anyone else and I was encouraging and pushing her to do it. We always make each other smile and hold eye contact. And although we're not touchy feely. With my job I spend a lot of time touching her as she'll come in for treatment.
She is reserved and has always told me she is not a huggy person. But, with me she has allowed me touch her on occasion. Like when were out on a work event, she asked me to look at her leg and got me to touch it (it was nothing and she knew). Recently she was telling me about a pain in her ribs/abdomen and got her stomach out for my to look and touch. Out of nowhere and we were just talking. Neither were really from a clinical setting and I could have felt it through her clothes. So, on top of the usual stuff, this makes me feel like she is interested. I'm normally good at seeing these things. Because I am the same and would employ similar tactics if I liked some one (spend more time around them, eye contact and making the other person smile with yours and obviously the touching).
However she has a BF, they have been together for 7 years. He is lovely and very funny. However, I'm not the only one to think he is punching with her. She is someone who is not great at making change in her romantic life. She has told me before she won't break up with people and only had boyfriends previously so she could get away from her family dynamics, which could apply here as she lives with his parents. I understand this, because my family dynamics are similarly very full on and require a lot. So, I wonder if he is just a safety net, were she can get away from living at home or if she genuinely loves him. She talks about him from time to time. But more like "we did this together and his work is this and it's interesting" rather than "I love him" or really complementing him.
Now I don't want to be an arsehole and break them up. But, I've liked her for a while. I'm not so invested that I want commit my undying love, but it would seem a waste to not see? Or should I let sleeping dogs lie? I'm not going to spring it on her, just maybe drop in, that if she were ever single she should reach out. That way too, if this is a massive deal for her home life, she has time to figure things out.
*Other side note, we both have mentioned multiple times what we are not very good at outreach. I'm terrible for sparking up conversations via message etc (because I don't like being a burden [I'm working on it]). So I have a feeling we're probably not going to be talking much out side of work. So I'd like to tell her in person before she goes.
Tldr: Work colleague is leaving, I've had a thing for her for a while. I'm now single, she isn't. We get on well and I have an inkling she likes me (maybe it's just a crush for her or I've got it wrong). Should I mention if she were ever to be single, we should go for a date?
Thank you lovely lot for reading!! I appreciate you thoughts. You're amazing and have a lovely day!