This seems like the complete opposite of what people here aim at, but truth be told this is my intention with this specific HB.

I've met her in a bookstore about a month ago and she seems interested in talking to me and has invited me to several socials with her group of friends so far, however her behavior seems to be leaning towards LJBF (eg she's very friendly, but shows no sign of any sexual IOIs). Adding to that our conversations seem to lack any sense of sexual tension hence reinforcing my point.

So, after thinking about it, I decided that being new to this town and having several other attractive HBs that I can mate with, I'd rather take this chance and forge a bond with a new friend than try for a one night stand and ruin the friendship altogether.

With that said, how do I proceed? I think I'm even worse at making friends than I am at general pick up so I really don't know what to do to make us closer.

She sent me a couple of SMS recently, but turns out that my phone was broken and she never got my replies (she probably thinks that I never replied to them).

Any advice you can give me?