I am having trouble escalating on girls that are in my social circle who I have known for awhile and friends (who are attracted). With strangers, I make any excuse to come back to my place and if she agrees, it's on and easy. I go for the make out right away, sometimes without even saying a word because I have nothing to lose with strangers. However, for girls I have known for awhile, invitations have to be innocent at first because there is much more risk. I do a good job of getting them to my place 1 on 1, but I can't seem to transition into seduction and escalation from there.

For example this happened to me a few nights ago... I used to work with this girl and haven't seen her in a few months, so I invited her out for some drinks to catch up. We had some drinks, I made her laugh, I flirted, etc. Then I invited her to my place to smoke a joint. I put on some music, smoked, and talked...and talked. I just couldn't find any openings or reasons to get close to her. Similar situations have happened a few times and this is usually where I get friend zoned.

I guess what I am really asking for is specific strategies and tips on transitioning into escalation on girls who I have known for awhile and are in my social circle. I have read the escalation ladder and know the steps... hand holding, sitting close legs touching, putting her hand on my lap etc., but I am having trouble setting up scenarios where all this can happen and finding the reasons to do so without being weird. Like how do I go from smoking with her to closely sitting next to her and escalating. Or watching a movie at my place to touching her leg or something. It's just awkward as shit without a smooth transition. I hear a lot of people advising "just get her alone and work on escalating." Can you break it down to specifics (on girls I already know) Tips and ideas would be greatly appreciated, more specific the better..thanks!

Friendzoned.