Backstory: she works upstairs in accounting, me downstairs in the dealership service lane. She's cute but quiet, and we don't interact much outside of work stuff.
On Thursday, I ask her if she'd care to join me for lunch the next day. She says she unfortunately has to leave early, but maybe another time. I take that as a polite "no" and back off.
On Friday, she actually does leave very early. So I ask three of my other trusted female coworkers for their opinions, and they all basically say "she's hard to read, but if you like her, ask one more time." So I do, yesterday. Short, polite, and to the point. Friendly smile and a "So I wasn't sure about the other day, but.. care to try for lunch tomorrow?" Really reserved like.
She SQUIRMS. Not in a disgusted way, but like she was incredibly uncomfortable and wanted nothing more than to run away crying. "I'm really flattered, but... no? Sorry?"
I don't think I've EVER misread someone that badly. It was awful, I feel pretty bad. Not because she turned me down, I don't care. It's just... she was almost terrified. There's no way I could have expected to intimidate someone like that. I'm not ugly or scary or rough around the edges, I'm very clean cut and normal. Plus it's not like it's a really formal or hostile work environment, everyone here is really relaxed and there's a bunch of coworker couples.