but all of the baby steps that I took as green lights give me hope that there is plenty there to be rekindled.
It's okay to take it as hope. But it is a baby-step when the two of you can have more than one conversation that is relaxed and maybe even a laugh here and there. What I'm saying is not to go over-board just b/c she responded nicely in this one conversation. Women don't usually go from red light to green.......they need a caution light in between.
It is not about what you feel should work in your M. It is about doing the work that gets the right results. Do what works!