<p>This is the same problem that has plagued every would-be romantic interest: how to find out if a person likes you without any risk to your social image or fragile ego?</p>
<p>There is no way to figure this out without risk. Either she takes the risk (in telling you she likes you and gauging your reaction) or you take the risk (in telling her you like her and gauging her reaction). Or you can be sneaky and perform some recon by talking to her friends. But it is hard to be subtle about it.</p>
<p>The risk is occasionally worth it for isolated cases, and always worth it in the end.</p>