I think I've known that it seems to be me that makes an effort to chat, although on occasion she has approached me. Yet if we're having a coffee she will always make an effort to keep the conversation going, almost like she doesn't want me to leave. Yet I know she's said if she's had people round before that she finds it hard to say, ' i need to get on' and ask them to leave. Additionally it always seems to be her friends that are making the effort to see her, or pop round for coffee etc. so perhaps that's just how she is. She's a single work from home mum, and has some money issues, so I can understand she may not want to be out socialising a lot. And doesn't seem to get much help from anyone around her, so maybe I feel sorry for her, and just want to be there for her to talk too, and get out her frustrations. So yes maybe Is using me in that instance, but we do have a laugh too, and I do vent my frustrations to her too. Not wanting to look for excuses but she has a lot going on at the moment, and gets very little support in it.
I give her space, don't always approach her, allow her time to do what she needs, if I've not seen her for a few days I'll ask if things are ok, she'll say she's been busy, then she'll say a few days later she hasn't seen me go past for a while.
I think it all started the first time I went round, thinking I was seeing signs of flirting, and other things that have happened. Maybe she is just lonely and likes the attention, and I'm happy to be there for her. It's unlikely I'll see her for a while now due to holidays, and her kids being at home, unless I bump into her in town, so it'll give me some time to sort out things. Then maybe when we meet up see how things are. I might even have gotten over my crush, and just be friends.
Glad things looking up for you, it's important to take your time to be sure, but like you say you can never be 100% certain, until you ask, but I hope it works out for at least one of us lol .