I wound up going to my friends birthday instead, and so far we've been texting (actively keeping delays between each text). I'm conscious not to prolong the date, but I'm also conscious of not making her my number one priority. Instead, I am looking to expand my options. I have a girl who works in a bar with me that I am tapping up for availability. Assuming that doesn't go anywhere, I also have another girl who might be available for some other extra curricular activities.
I think the right thing to do now is to keep cultivating other options so that I am not so dependent on this one girl. Stay tuned for updates.