Originally Posted by Biffs_muse

I understand what you're saying about the potential career reference in the future but even if you threw your interest out there to her and she declined, so what. You weren't disrespectful. It would only be an awkward situation if you made it be one regarding her giving you a reference. It doesn't have to be weird.

Being that you give her rides (or have had the opportunity in the past) that's a perfect opportunity to throw something out there casually. Maybe look in your local events calendar in the paper and find some artsy thing like a museum exhibit or whatever your thing is and ask if she's gonna go. Then take it from there "...hey, don't know if you're interested or not, but I'm giong to the blah blah blah exhibit reception at the XYZ Gallery tomorrow evening, would you care to join me?"