Relation help/ question for girls?

Okay, I've been friends with this one girl in one of my cles for about a year, and I 've really started to like her, but I don't want to put myself out on the line and end up creating an awkward situation since we are in a lot of the same cles and clubs (similar interest). We usualy exchange smiles and just talk about stuff but I think were pretty compatible. Today for example, I walked by her and sped up to see if she would speed up to talk to me, and she did ( sometimes I'll notice little things like this or the way she reacts that sort of leads me on that she might like me). I know shes single (because she told me about a week ago pretty discreetly) and I know that she could be just wanting to be close friends, or maybe something else. Any advice? Should I ask her out and how should I (if I should) so it wouldn't make things awkward. Thank You!!!