Interesting conversation I had with a friend. Any thoughts?

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Yesterday, I (male) had a brief conversation with a friend (female). It's the same 22-year-old girl I met last year and quickly became good friends with. Well, originally, I wanted more, but that didn't pan out. She wasn't interested, I guess, although some more-than-friendly behaviors, like inordinately close hugs, remained. I think that's probably for the best: I know she wants a relationship---she even told me in general terms---and I currently fear relationships more than death.

Anyway, she texted me during lunch to hang out after work, and I said OK. (Like me and my long-time friends used to plan things in the good old days.) We met in a quiet pseudo-Irish pub, for beers and a shared order of loaded fries. As we talked at the table, she told me that she felt upset that she didn't have a boyfriend this Valentine's Day. Now, I learned way back in PUA's early iterations, that you must absolutely never discuss a woman's emotional problem with her, if she might like you or if you like her. (Things like the "check engine" light on her car are OK.) So, after giving her some words of compassion, I came back with a humorous response to deflect the topic. She laughed, and teased me in return, which I deflected successfully as well. This elevated the mood a little, and changed the conversation topic to something more fun. Once we were both OK to drive, I walked her to her car; not to act like a boyfriend, but to make sure she's safe, because there were some guys hanging out in the parking lot.

I thought the statement she made, about not having a boyfriend, was very interesting. Could that mean she was trying to get me to ask her out romantically? Which I---believe it or not---would rather not do, given my fear of relationships. Or if not, it's interesting that she's going through the same emotional state I used to go through when I was her age. Of course, that was way back when relationships were fun and exciting (20's), not boring and sedate like today (30's). Oh, and she knows I'm interested in her, since I once made a move, by dancing too close with her. We still dance together when we get the chance, only with better boundaries.

So what are your thoughts? Any way I should have responded? What do I say if she brings it up again?

P.S.: Yes, I'm aware of the controversial nature of PUA, but humor me here.

I think if she knows you like her & she wasn't interested in you before, the ball is in her court to make a move assuming her feelings for you have changed.

What's interesting is that a part of me doesn't want her to develop romantic feelings for me. I'm very ill-equipped for a relationship at this point, which doesn't make a good boyfriend, for her or anyone else. But especially for her, since she's young and might not have built up a certain level of jadedness like I did. So it's in her best interest for me to just be friends with her, it seems. Especially considering that she didn't like me getting to close while dancing. At least the first time I did it, which she didn't like, and I haven't tried again.

Plus, the hugs and the handholds kind of feel more exciting when it's part of just being friends, rather than romantically. And if a relationship ensues, I know I'll have to get intimate with her sooner or later; otherwise, what kind of man would I be? And there's a problem there: after seeing a massive bevy of people in my extended social circle (friends of friends, etc.) have kids, I developed an intense fear of sex . Heck, I haven't seen an escort in nearly 7 months because of that, and I usually visit once every 2 to 3 months.