Basically there's a girl I really like and we used to work together. We talk quite regularly, when we worked we were always on the same shifts. People kept saying to me that they thought she liked me in a romantic sense. Now after a while (a long while) I asked her out, to get the answer "no, because someones beat you to it, but it was nice of you to ask." So ultimately I feel stupid. What I know about her and this guy is they arent boyfriend and girlfriend she describes it as complicated and that she is happy, but she doesn't want to talk about it. Judging from what she has told me, I'd say its most likely that on a night out some guy flirted with her and got her number. Now i have tried talking about this to people, and they say I was in the friend zone, seeing as I usually get rejected and I usually am friends with the girl beforehand. So is there a way to escape this, because I know by asking her out I have made it harder to do.

Unfortunately when a girl puts you in the friend zone, it's inescapable. Unless she lets you out. And I hate to say it, but it rarely happens. When a girl sees you as a friend, it's hard to cross you over to something more. But it does happen sometimes. Just keep your distance, remain friends, and let her set the tone. And get out and go on a date. I'm sure there are other women out there who would want to date you. Don't wait for her, go find someone who will want you for more than friends.

Good luck.

next time you like a girl ask her out then, not after a year has gone by where she never once thinks of you sexually. you didn't just "miss your opportunity" here as much as you "murdered, hacked up and buried your opportunity."

I agree with Isparkle. Keep your distance and stay friends with her. She may let you out. Good luck