even if you genuinely like the chick, your mindset should always be:
"I know my destination. I know where i'm going. I'm the pilot of my plane. Either you want to be my co-pilot for this trip or you don't. You're always free to quit or leave. If you do, i won't even front, it's sad cause i like you and you've been a good co-pilot so i will miss you. but at the end of the day, i'm still going where i'm going with or without you. right now i'd rather it be you sitting in the seat next to me but whatever you choose, there will eventually be someone who fits my standards sitting in that co-pilot seat. it's either you or someone else
"
you don't even need to say it verbally to her. but she HAS to know that's how you feel. she has to know through your actions. She has to know you're getting where ever you need to go no matter what she decides. a co-pilot who figures out the pilot
needs her suddenly stops respecting his authority. they ask for pay-raises, become insubordinate, show up late to work, and even resents the pilot for all the authority he had over her while he didn't "need" her. eventually the co-pilot gets bored and wants to fly with a different pilot who does more exciting flights.
don't chase them, replace them.