Still not spoken with the first girl which is kinda good because it makes things a bit more awkward and less friendly. You guys say the first girl only wants to be friends now but I don't thing you all realise how infrequently I actually see her. She got in touch regarding something else today but it looks like I'm just going to have to ask her out over the phone :\ She deserves better though.
Okay just re-read back through some of this thread....
OMG to the above... Seriously... Dear god my boy you have no hope in hell with that attitude.
At risk of sounding egotistical (i'm genuinely not) i'm very successful with women and trust me, you are thinking about everything in completely the wrong way.
Here are my sure fire steps to success:
1. Grow a pair
2. Pick up the phone and say the following:- "Hey, it was nice hearing from you the other day and it got me to thinking... You're a nice girl and i'd really like to take you out for a drink"
And thats it!.... Stop there.... Say no more and no less....
It's short, to the point, doesn't smell of arrogance or desperation. That is the key to 'confidence' which is by far the most attractive quality to women. In one short sentence you've complimented her without sounding slushy or desperate, made her feel good about herself, laid your cards on the table without declaring your undying love for her and asked her out without begging. And actually asked her out in a, dare I say it, slightly "non-too-concerned about the outcome" manner.
In summary you've made her think you like her a bit. But she doesn't know how much.
Oh god now I feel as though I'm over analysing it myself. Just ring her, ask her out and get on with your life.